As America’s older adult population (age 65+) doubles in size over the next 25 years, the significant increase in the number of reported life-threatening accidents and medical emergencies afflicting seniors has never been more serious.  As a result, falling and fall-related accidents has emerged as the NUMBER ONE cause of medical injuries suffered by Older Adults in the United States.  Falls can result in moderate to severe injuries that can dramatically increase the risk of early death and are the number one cause of injury deaths among our senior population.

Statistics That May Shock You

According to the federal government agency Center of Disease Control (CDC), falls and fall injuries are more common than strokes among older adults.  In one state sample, falls are the most common cause of hospital admissions for trauma.  In another neighboring state, Department of Health officials report that falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths for older adults and the fourth leading cause of death for people all ages.

Here are some alarming statistics should place a national spotlight on falling and fall prevention:

• 1 out of every 3 older adults (age 65+) fall each year.
• Every 29 minutes and older adult dies from a fall.
• 1 out of every 5 falls causes a life-threatening injury.
• Only 47% of critical falls by older adult patients will make a full 100% recovery.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) accounted for 46% of fatal falls amongst older adults
• Falls are the #1 cause of injury deaths suffered by older adults
• Falls are the leading cause of hip fractures and traumatic brain injury
• Falls are the leading cause of earlier admission to a nursing care facility.

Falls Are More Common Than Strokes

According to fallprevention.org recently, falls and fall injuries are more common than strokes and as a direct result:

• 2 out of every 10 older adults who need home health care after being in the hospital will fall during the first month of home recovery.
• 1 in 10 older adults experience a serious fall injury resulting in a broken bone (fracture)
• 5 in 10 have complications getting up without help after a experiencing a fall
• Falls cause more than 90% of broken hip injuries.
• Fall injuries represent 16% of all Hospital Emergency Room visits.
• Fall injuries represent 7% of all hospitalizations in the United States.

Home Hazzards Lead to Accidental Falls

In terms of home-based versus outside-the-home based falls, several major research studies report:

• 44% of all home-based falls occur as a result of “environmental or home hazzards”.
• These “home hazards” focus on throw rugs, lighting cords, slipping in bathroom, poor lighting and doorways.
• 56% of all out-of-home falls occur as a result of poor mobility, balance, forward gait, improper footwear and more.

Finally, more than 50% of older adults who experience a first-time fall will fall more than once (called a recurring fall) within a specified period of time.  In my own family for example, a loved one has fallen 5 times repeatedly within a ten-month period of time since the first-time fall.  That’s one fall every two months!  To note, holidays are a heightened time of year when older adults are especially susceptible to falling.  This is a time where older adults are more hyper-active and emotional than normal resulting in quicker body movements and physical activity.

Now that we’ve introduced you to these somewhat alarming and sobering statistics on falling, we feel assistive medical devices, particularly a personal medical alert system for the home, is essential to providing independent older adults with 24/7 emergency medical monitoring and response in the event of a critical fall or related accident.  First Response System provides our loved ones with reliable and affordable medical alert protection at the touch of a button- even when you fall.