When Seniors Fall: Prevention Tips Many falls may be prevented
with healthy lifestyle choices and safety modifications. Each
year one out of three Americans age 65 and older falls,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As
caregivers and seniors know this is a huge problem with falls as
the "leading cause of injury, death and emergency room visits
for people over age 65," according to a fact sheet on falling
from the Florida Hospital North Pinellas. Fallling has serious
consequences for seniors. About 20 to 30 percent of individuals
"who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries, such as
lacerations, hip fractures, or head traumas," according to the
Centers for Disease Control. "Often times a person falls because
their body has become so inactive over the years, their strength
and balance has diminished. After a fall, individuals tend to
reduce their activity levels and become more fearful of falling
and even more inactive, lending to muscle atrophy and increased
risk of falling again," ex