Falls are the leading cause of injury death for adults……now what do you do to reduce your chance of a fall?
Fall Risk Reduction includes three components
Balance and Mobility
Medical Management
Home Modification
Among adults 65 years and older
1 in 3 fall each year
1 in 2 have problems getting up without help after they have fallen
1 in 10 suffer a serious fall injury such as a broken bone or head injury
35% of traumatic brain injuries are a result of a fall
Falls account for 87% of all fractures in older adults, with hip fractures being the most serious.
25% of hip fracture patients will make a full recovery, 40% will require nursing home care, 50% will need a cane/walker, and 20% will die within 12 months.
Half of older adults who suffer a hip fracture never regain their previous level of functioning, and many are unable to live independently after their injury.
Falls and fall injuries in Orange County
In 2002, 5,867 people over 50 required hospitalization due to a nonfatal fall
For people over 55, falls are the top reason for an injury-related hospitalization, more than triple the number two reason (car accidents)
For those over 75 years, falls were the number one cause of an injury-related death
The cost of falls
In 2000, direct medical costs totaled $179 million dollars for fatal and $19.3 billion dollars for nonfatal fall injuries for the United States (this number is expected to reach $43.8 billion by 2020)
In 2001, fall-related hospitalization charges in Orange County were estimated at $236.2 million.
