Falls Are A Serious Problem

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in people 65 and older in the United States. Falls can happen anytime and any place to people of any age, but most falls by people age 65 and older occur in the home during everyday activities. You can fall walking across a cluttered living room floor, in a slippery bathroom, or while standing on a stool reaching into a cupboard.

The number of falls and the severity of injury resulting from falls increases as people get older. The most common serious injuries are head injuries, wrist fractures, spine fractures, and hip fractures.

The cost of falls among older people is enormous because of the high death toll, disabling conditions, and recovery in hospitals and rehabilitation institutions.