Falls are a serious threat to the health and safety of older adults age 65+. According to the CDC about one out of every three adults 65 and older takes a fall each year but the majority do not mention this to their physicians.
Falls are actually the leading cause of death for people 65 and older and the most common reason people in this age group are admitted to the hospital. As reported by the CDC, in 2010 around 2.3 million U.S. adults 65 years and older were treated in an emergency room for problems due to a fall.
Some of the common injuries related to falls include fractures to the hip, leg, arm, hand, pelvis and spine, along with trauma to the head. Following a bad fall, many people can may become extremely scared that it will happen again.
In order to try to reduce the chance of falling, it is advisable to partake in regular exercise. People who are in good physical shape are more likely to have adequate muscle strength and balance.
Regular vision checks are also advisable since vision problems may lead to distorted depth perceptions and increased likelihood of falling. In addition, the CDC advises that people on medications make sure to identify those drugs that have side effects which make people tired or dizzy which could lead to a fall.
Further, doing regular weight bearing exercises is recommended to lower the fracture risk in the event that a fall does take place. Learn more statistics and information on adult falls from the CDC.
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