Fall Prevention

Leslie Harris-Petrie

Fall Statistics

• Each year 1/3 of older adults fall. Of those, 20%-30% suffer moderate to severe injuries.

• Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for persons aged 65 and older.

• In 2005, 15,800 people 65+ died from injuries related to unintentional falls.

Fall Statistics

• More than 90% of hip fractures among adults 65+ are the result of a fall.

• Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls. Most common fractures are: spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, hand.

• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. (46% of fatal falls)

Fall Statistics

• Rates of fall-related deaths among other adults rose significantly over the past decade.

• Many people who fall (even those not injured) develop a fear of falling, causing limited activity and physical fitness and increasing actual fall risk.

Cost of Falls

• The annual direct and indirect cost of fall injuries is expected to reach $54.9 billion by 2020.

• In people over 72, the average cost of a fall injury totals over $19,440 including hospital, nursing home, emergency room and home health care (does not include doctors’ services).

Cost of Falls

• Of the 350,000 patients who fall and break hips yearly, 40% end up in a nursing home; 20% never walk again.

• Lifetime cost of a hip fracture is more than $81,000.

• Annual Medicare cost for hip fractures is almost $3 billion.

Risk Factors

• Muscle weakness• Postural hypotension• Vision problems• Balance or gait impairment• Use of 4 or more medications• Use of sedative medications• Certain chronic diseases such as

Parkinson’s; arthritis, stroke• Previous falls

Prevention

• Medication review

• Tai Chi (improves balance, strength and coordination)

• Home modification: stair railings, ramps, grab bars, improve lighting, improve flooring

• Vision correction

Prevention

• Mobility aids: cane, walker, power chair scooter

• Hip protectors

• Glasses (corrective lenses)

Prevention

Please ask me for a

free Fall Prevention Poster!

Contact Information

The SCOOTER Store

Leslie Harris-Petrie

Phone: 925-337-2346

Fax: 866-971-8564

Email: lharrispetrie@thescooterstore.com