Dear Visitor,

The most common cause of injury for older people is an ordinary fall. Each year 1 of every 3 Americans over 65 will fall, a risk greater than for stroke and heart attack combined.

A fall-related injury can mark a permanent end to independent living and set off a downward spiral of physical and emotional problems. Almost a third of those who slip on a patch of ice, a stumble on the stairs or experience a brief loss of balance will wind up with moderate to severe injuries, ranging from broken teeth, to broken hips, to traumatic brain injury.

Experts agree that older people, who engage in fall prevention measures, can reduce the risk of future falls. While experts agree that fall risk should be taken seriously, many older people, fearing their families will “try to put them in a nursing home”, never report non-injury falls. By ignoring their falls, older people risk hastening the very loss of independence that they fear.

CLICK TO READ ABOUT “Fall Risk–A Treatable Medical Condition”

Sincerely,
Marcia Johnson