The elderly and falls - these two word are always paired
together, but why is that? The main reason is that elderly individuals are more
likely to suffer a fall. Additionally, these falls are more fatal and
life-threatening when they happen to older adults. According to the CDC, one in
every three adults over 65 will fall this year. What's more frightening is that
in 2010 about 21,000 older adults died from injuries suffered during a fall.
Falls can range in severity, and they are usually
dependent upon the height of the fall and the manner in which the individual
lands. Generally speaking, the greater distance the individual falls, the
greater the risk is for severe injuries. Additionally, the surface will affect
the type of injury inflicted. For example, landing on a softer surface will
help to lessen some of the injuries whereas a fall on concrete will cause more
severe injuries. The severity of the fall is assessed by the injuries suffered
during the fall. According to the CDC 20-30% of individuals suffer moderate to
severe injuries. What are these? Moderate injuries include scratches, scrapes,
bumps and bruises. Fractures, broken bones, and head traumas are considered
some of the more severe injuries that can be suffered during a fall. Older
individuals are more likely to fracture their spine, hip, forearms, legs,
ankles, pelvis, and their hands.
Fortunately, most falls are preventable, so you can start
taking steps to prevent your elderly loved one from suffering a fall. In our
next post, we'll discuss different preventative measures you can take around
the home to prevent this.
