Important Facts about Falls
According to a study by the US National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health, one out of every four older people falls each year, but only half of them tell their doctor.
Falls Are Serious and Costly
Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), with Medicare and Medicaid covering 75% of the costs. Falls cause one out of every five serious injuries, such as broken bones or a head injury. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
What Can Happen After a Fall?
Many falls do not result in injuries, but one out of every five can result in a serious injury, such as broken bones in the wrist, arm, ankle, or hip, or head injuries, in which case older people should see their doctor right away to ensure they do not have a brain injury.
What Conditions Make You More Likely to Fall?
Most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors; the more risk factors a person has, the higher their risk of falling. Healthcare providers can help reduce a person’s risk by reducing the fall risk factors listed above.
References
Stevens JA, Ballesteros MF, Mack KA, Rudd RA, DeCaro E, Adler G. Falls and Fall Injuries Among Adults Aged 226565 Years u2014 United States, 2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:993u2013998.
What percentage of elderly die falls?
From 2007 to 2016, the overall rate of older adult deaths from falls increased 31% (3.0% per year) (Figure 1). In 2016, 29,668 ( 61.6 per 100,000) Americans aged 65 died from fall-related causes.
How often do old people die from falling?
According to Cheng’s research, 4.5 percent of elderly patients (aged 70 and up) died after a ground-level fall, compared to 1.5 percent of non-elderly patients.
What percentage of adults over 65 have a fall each year?
Falls are unfortunately common, with one in every four Americans over the age of 65 falling each year, according to the National Council on Aging.
Why do elderly die after fall?
“People can die after a fall for a variety of reasons, including head trauma, internal bleeding, and bone fracture complications,” he said. “Fractures can lead to hospitalization, immobility in bed, and respiratory or other infections, all of which can be fatal.”
How long does it take for an elderly person to recover from a fall?
According to the source, only one-third of seniors who were classified as severely or moderately disabled prior to their fall were able to fully recover within a year, according to a study.
Where do seniors fall the most?
Where do the majority of elderly people fall?
- 60 percent of falls happen in the home
- 30% happen in a community setting (for example, while shopping or walking down the street)
- 10% happen in a health care facility such as a hospital, clinic, or nursing/rehabilitation facility.
Can the risk of falling be removed?
Regular strength and balance exercises, such as walking and dancing, can improve your strength and balance and reduce your risk of falling, and can be done at home or through specialized training programs.
Why do elderly fall so much?
Illnesses and physical conditions can affect your strength and balance, and poor lighting and throw rugs in your home can cause you to trip or fall.
What to do if someone falls and can’t get up?
If they aren’t badly hurt and want to get up, go slowly and stop if they become stuck, experience pain, or are too tired to get all the way up.
What is the number one cause of falls in the elderly?
The two leading causes of injury and death in older adults are falls and motor vehicle crashes, both of which are related to mobility.
What to watch for after an elderly person falls?
After a fall, there are eight things doctors should look into.
- A blood pressure and pulse reading while sitting and standing.
- Blood tests.
- Medications review.
- Gait and balance.
- Vitamin D level.
- Evaluation for underlying heart conditions or neurological conditions.
Why can’t elderly get up after a fall?
Even falls that don’t result in immediate injury can be disastrous if you don’t know what to do. Of course, it’s not uncommon for seniors to be unable to get up for a variety of reasons, including injury, stiff joints, weak muscles, and a variety of other factors.
What to do when an elderly person falls and hits their head?
If an older person falls and hits their head, they should see a doctor right away to make sure they don’t have a brain injury. Many people who fall, even if they aren’t hurt, develop a fear of falling, which may cause them to limit their daily activities.
What are the most serious consequences of a fall in the elderly?
Fractures are the most serious consequence of falls for seniors (short of death). The hip, femur (thigh bone), pelvis, and vertebrae (spine) are the most common bones to fracture in falls.
How does a fall affect the elderly?
Falls cause injury, activity limitations, fear of falling, and loss of mobility in the elderly; fractures of the hip, forearm, humerus, and pelvis are common as a result of the combined effect of falls and osteoporosis.