Slips and Falls among Seniors

Slips and Falls are a valid concern among Seniors: Falls Cause Injuries and Death

Falls account for more than half of all injuries among Canadians 65 years and over. One third of community-dwelling Canadian seniors experience one fall each year and half of those will fall more than once. The likelihood of dying from a fall-related injury increases with age; among seniors, 20% of deaths related to injury can be traced back to a fall. Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable.

How big is the problem

One out of three older adults (those aged 65 or older) falls each year but less than half talk to their healthcare providers about it.
Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries.
In 2010, 2.3 million nonfatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 662,000 of these patients were hospitalized.
In 2010, the direct medical costs of falls, adjusted for inflation, was $30 billion.

What outcomes are linked to falls?

Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures, or head traumas. These injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently, and increase the risk of early death.
Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
In 2000, 46% of fatal falls among older adults were due to TBI.
Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls. The most common are fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand.
Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, which leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, and in turn increases their actual risk of falling.

Fall Statistics

A summary of 12 studies cites the following most common reasons for falls. The effect of drugs on the elderly, and the difficulties surrounding medication compliance, are also believed to be the root cause for many of falls incidents. Apart from personal suffering, loss of independence and lower quality of life, the costs of seniors’ injuries to the health system are enormous. Seniors’ falls are also responsible for 40% of admissions to nursing homes.

Hospitalization

Falls account for 34% of all injury-related hospital admissions and 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations, making this the leading cause of injury-related admissions for seniors. Forty percent of seniors’ falls result in hip fractures and half of those who break their hips will never recover full functioning; women sustain 75–80% of all hip fractures and one in five older adults will die within 12 months of suffering a hip fracture.

Where Injuries Occur

Nearly half of all injuries among seniors occur at home. The bathroom and stairs are particularly hazardous due to the risk of slipping, tripping and stumbling.

Fear of Falling

Seniors who fall may limit their activities for fear of falling again. Yet by limiting activities, they are likely to lose strength and flexibility and increase their risk of falling again. Maintaining physical activity is essential if you wish to prevent falls and injury.

The following areas present the greatest risks for slips and falls: