Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among Arizonans age 66 and up. Fall prevention is a national focus during the month of September.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of people ages 65 and older fall each year, making falls the leading cause of injury in this age group. More than one out of four older people fall each year, but less than half tell their doctor. And falling once doubles your chances of falling again.
One of the most severe fall injuries is a broken hip. Each year over 300,000 older people—those 65 and older—are hospitalized for hip fractures. It is difficult to recover from a hip fracture, and after such an injury, many people are not able to live on their own.
Falls among seniors are caused by a variety of factors including declining strength, loss of balance, and poor eyesight. Falls are largely preventable. Check out SYNERGY HomeCare’s Fall Prevention Guide.
