Aging in Place and a Silent Disaster
The Frequency and Costs of Falls Among the Aged People
Falls are a frequent but frequently disregarded danger among the aged. According to the statistics, more than one out of four Americans older than 65 have fallen once a year, and in 2014, the number was shocking 29 million. However, these are not just numbers; it is known that one out of five falls results in severe consequences such as fractures or head traumas. Furthermore, the effects of this disaster are both human and financial. In particular, an older adult is being treated at the ER room every 11 seconds, while an older adult dies from falling every nineteen minutes.
What is more, falls are the leading cause of death from injuries of people older than 65. Of these injuries, hip fractures are perhaps the most worrying, with 95% being due to falls. It should also be noted that when someone falls, they are most likely to fall again; in other words, falling becomes a continuing event. Thus, not only are the figures staggering, but the economic effect is no less than dreadful.
According to the estimates, direct medical costs may reach $67.7 billion in 2020. To address the problem once it has occurred, appropriate preventive measures must be taken. We need to ensure that falls are not an unavoidable occurrence of aging.
