Elderly Most at Risk for Fall-Related Deaths and Injuries

Almost every person has experienced a slip and fall accident, or trip and fall accident, at some point in his or her life.

For healthy, younger individuals, a slip and fall accident may result in a few minor cuts and bruises, but for individuals over the age of 65, a slip and fall accident can lead to disability, loss of independence, and an early death.

Falls are the leading cause of death among individuals over the age of 65, reports the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also reports that falls are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries for older individuals.

According to multiple studies, there are several reasons Americans over the age of 65 are more likely to be involved in a slip and fall accident than a younger individual. The most common reason for slip and fall accidents among the elderly is environmental hazards.

In fact, at least one-third of all falls are caused by an environmental hazard in the home. Gait and balance disorders, limited mobility, dizziness, confusion, medication, and visual problems are also contributing factors in many fall accidents among older individuals. The greater number of risk factors an older individual is exposed to the higher the person’s chances are of a slip and fall accident occurring.

The consequences of a fall can be devastating for an older individual. The following statistics, which were provided by the CDC, bring attention to the many severe consequences of slip and fall accidents:

• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the U.S. and TBIs accounted for almost 50 percent of all fatal falls among the elderly in 2000.
• In 2008, more than 19,700 older adults tragically died as a result of fall-related injuries.
• In 2000, the direct medical care costs of nonfatal slip and fall accident injuries totaled almost $19 billion.
• The direct medical care costs for fatal slip and fall accidents totaled almost $179 million in 2000.
• The majority of bone fracture injuries among the elderly are caused by slip and fall accidents.

The good news is that many slip and fall accidents can be prevented. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that older individuals exercise regularly and frequently ask their physicians to review their medications for adverse side effects.

Older adults should also get their eyes checked at least once a year and make sure their homes are free of falling hazards, such as dimly lit hallways, broken stair railings or slippery bathroom tiles.

Please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on how to reduce falling risk factors for yourself or your loved one. As a California personal injury lawyer I know how difficult it can be for an older individual to recover from a devastating slip and fall accident. Let’s all work together as a community to prevent one more older adult from becoming a slip and fall accident victim.