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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: [email protected]