Visiting Angels June Community Resource Bulletin

National Safety Month: Falls are one of the biggest safety concerns for older adults

Poisons, fire, weather, cooking, automobile/driver, medications, etc. are safety issues we must all be aware of. However, for older adults, and those in NJ elder care, one of the biggest safety concerns is falling.

Fall Facts:

• 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 fall each year
• Falls are the leading cause of deaths from injury in people over 65
• Falls are the most common reason for hospital trauma admissions
• In 2009, over 20,400 people 65 and older died from injuries from falls
• More than 90% of hip fractures are caused by falls
• For falls in people 75+, they are 4–5 times more likely than those 65–74 to be admitted to a long-term care facility for a year or more
• The rates of fall-related deaths among older adults has significantly increased over the past decade
• 20%–30% of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head traumas
• Taking 4 or more medications greatly increases the risk for falling due to the greater number of side effects associated with multiple medication use; interactions between medications can also cause side effects

Local NJ Elder Care Resources:

• Mercer County Office on Aging, 1-877-222-3737
  
• Burlington County Office on Aging, 1-877-222-3737
  

National Resources:

• My Safe Home: www.mysafehome.org
• National Safety Council, www.nsc.org, 800- 621-7615

Download our June National Safety Month Community Resource Bulletin. It contains more information about falls–including the National Safety Council’s falls fact sheet, fall prevention checklist, and a crossword puzzle designed to test your fall prevention knowledge.