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The Dangers of Falling

According to the CDC, more than one out of four older people fall yearly, but fewer than half report it to their doctors. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.

It is costly and dangerous to fall

  • A fall injury causes one out of 10 older adults to restrict their activities for a day or more or to seek medical assistance.
  • An estimated 3 million emergency department visits are caused by falls among older people each year.
  • An estimated 1 million older adults are hospitalized every year as a result of falls. Falling accounted for 83% of hip fracture deaths and 88% of emergency department visits and hospitalizations in 2019.3
  • Hip fractures cause nearly 319,000 hospitalizations each year.
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are most commonly caused by falls.

Fall-prone conditions

Many conditions contribute to falling. They are called risk factors, and many can be changed or modified to help prevent falls. These include:

  • A weakness in the lower body
  • An insufficient amount of vitamin D in your body is called a vitamin D deficiency.
  • Balance and walking difficulties
  • In addition, some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance and how steady you are on your feet, including tranquilizers, sedatives, and antidepressants.
  • Problems with vision
  • Poor footwear or foot pain
  • Hazards or dangers in the home, such as:
    • Steps that are broken or uneven
    • Tripping hazards such as throw rugs or clutter
    • The more risk factors a person has, the more likely they are to fall.

In both clinical and community settings, healthcare providers can reduce fall risk factors by implementing fall prevention interventions.

In the aftermath of a fall

The majority of falls do not result in an injury. About 37% of those who fell reported injuries that required medical treatment or restricted their activity for at least one day.5 These injuries can make getting around, doing everyday activities, or living alone difficult.

  • Broken bones, such as wrists, arms, ankles, and hips, can be caused by falls.
  • If you fall and hit your head, you should visit your doctor right away to make sure you don’t have a brain injury. These injuries can be severe, especially if you are taking certain medicines (like blood thinners).
  • When someone falls, even if they’re not injured, the fear of falling can cause them to cut back on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker, increasing their risk of falling.