Rate of Deadly Falls Has Doubled Since 2000
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(Medical Alert Systems HQ) Fall risk awareness for the elderly is quickly becoming a serious issue. Falling has become one of the leading causes of accidental injuries in the home for older adults. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 33% of seniors who are more than 65 years of age fall every year. Falls regularly occur in expected places such as the bathroom, shower or in slippery environments. But they can likewise occur through missteps on stools and ladders, stumbling on stairs, or from tripping over certain items at home.
Falling is very dangerous for seniors because the event of an initial fall can trigger fears of experiencing further falls, causing a limiting of activities and loss of independence. A research report from 2016 by the AAA found that seniors who have fallen are 40% more likely to be involved in a car crash. Falling can also lead to head injuries, fractures, soft tissue injuries, muscle breakdown, pressure sores and kidney damage.