Senior fall prevention
Facts about falling
Each year, millions of older adults aged 65 and older fall. While falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older Americans, they are not an inevitable part of aging. Fortunately, many falls are preventable with regular exercise and preventative care.
Most falls do not cause injuries. But one out of five falls can cause a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. Falls that cause head injury can be very serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines (like blood thinners). An older person who falls and hits their head should see their doctor right away to make sure they don’t have a brain injury. Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.
Although one out of three older adults have fallen, less than 50% of seniors talk with their health care provider about falling. Knowing your fall risk is an important first step in preventing future falls. Talk with your health care provider about an individual fall risk assessment.
Matter of Balance – FREE 8 week program
Matter of Balance is a multi-session program designed to improve balance to manage falls and increase activity levels.
