For people ages 65+, falls are
- The leading cause of injury deaths
- The most common cause of hospital admissions for trauma (CDC 2006)
- The mortality rate is 25% for those who have fallen and broken their hips in the year following their injury (Koval and Zuckerman, 1994)
- 95% of hip fractures are due to falls (Grisso et al, 1991)
- More than 1/3 of adults ages 65+ fall each year in the US (Hornbrook et al, 1994; Hausdorff et al, 2001)
- Annual cost of falls in older adults
- 2000: $19 billion
- Projected in 2020: $43.8 billion (CDC)
Treatments for Balance
- Addressing other medical issues that may be contributing to balance problems
- Addressing any medication issues
- Using gait assistive devices
- Easy household fixes, i.e. removing throw rugs
- Home modifications
- Exercises
- Balance exercises
- Strengthening exercises
- Tai Chi
- Flexibility exercises
- Cardiovascular/aerobic training
- Addressing falling fears