10 Shocking Statistics About Elderly Falls

These shocking statistics highlight the importance of preventing falls by taking deliberate precautions. Age related losses in muscle strength, flexibility, or balance reactions can be addressed through balance, strength assessments, or rehabilitation therapy.

  • When an elderly person falls, their hospital stays are almost twice longer than those of elderly patients who are admitted for any other reason.
  • The risk of falling increases with age and is greater for women than men.
  • Annually, falls are reported by one-third of all people over the age of 65.
  • Two-thirds of those who fall will do so again within six months.
  • Falls are the leading cause of death from injury among people 65 and older.
  • Approximately 9,500 deaths in older Americans are associated with falls each year.
  • More than half of all fatal falls involve people 75 or over.
  • Among people aged 65 to 69, one out of every 200 falls results in a hip fracture. That number increases to one out of every 10 for those aged 85 and older.
  • One-fourth of seniors who fracture a hip from a fall will die within six months of the injury.
  • The most profound effect of falling is the loss of functioning associated with independent living.

If you find yourself in need of rehabilitation care, ask your doctor about Shell Point Retirement Community’s own Rehabilitation Center. An interdisciplinary team of therapists in our skilled nursing facility use cutting age equipment and specific objective assessments to identify and treat deficits that may lead to a future fall.

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