Concern Growing for Elderly Injured by Falls

March 2008

Injuries sustained by the elderly from slip and fall accidents are much more serious than many people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of death due to injury among people 65 and older.

A CDC study released this month reveals that 5.8 million adults ages 65 and older in the United States fell at least once in the preceding three months. Many times, falls lead to a downward health spiral because seniors often lose mobility as a result. One in four people who sustain a hip fracture will die within a year of the fall and another 50 percent will never return to the level of mobility before the fall, says the National Safety Council.

Health experts are worried that these numbers will increase as 79 million baby boomers head into their senior years. The problem is compounded by the fact that falls are underreported because many adults fear ending up in nursing homes if they tell family members or healthcare providers about their injuries.