Fall prevention is key
For seniors, hip fracture can equal loss
of independence
Hip fracture is one the most serious injuries in seniors. Did you know that
approximately one in five hip fracture patients die within a year of the
injury? Hip fracture is also a leading reason seniors must move into a
nursing home—and many are never able to return home.
Unintentional falls are a threat to the lives, independence, and health of
adults ages 65 and older. Every 18 seconds, an older adult is treated in an
emergency department for a fall, and every 35 minutes someone in this
population dies as a result of their injuries.
Although one in three older adults fall each year in the United States,
falls are not an inevitable part of aging. There are proven strategies that
can reduce falls and help older adults live better and longer. Prevention is
key. More than 90% of hip fractures are caused by falls. You can reduce the
risk of falls in the home.
Older adults can take several steps to protect their independence and reduce
their risk of falling. They can:
For more information about falls prevention, see the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) website at
www.cdc.gov .
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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