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Ground-level falls: a source of serious injury for elderly Americans

Why are ground-level falls so dangerous? Falls from the ground-level, which are defined as falls that happen from a standing position when the person has both feet on the ground, have become more common as the population ages. In the ten year period between 1993 and 2003, fatal falls in the elderly were up 55 percent – and will continue to rise as more and more Americans age.

• Adults over the age of 70 who suffer a ground-level fall are far more likely to be severely injured or die than those under the age of 70.
• About 30 percent of adults over the age of 65 will suffer an unintentional fall every year.
• Elder adults with pre-existing health conditions are more likely to suffer severe consequences or death after a ground-level fall than those with no pre-existing conditions.
• After a ground-level fall, 4.5 percent of adults over the age of 70 die, compared to 1.5 percent of those under the age of 70.
• After a ground-level fall, only 22 percent of elderly patients were able to function on their own after leaving the hospital, compared to 41 percent of younger patients.

Prevention is the key to keeping elderly nursing home residents safe

Statistics tell us that falls are very dangerous for elderly adults, which means that the best way to keep our elders safe is to protect them from falling in the first place. The nursing home or assisted living facility where your loved one resides should be taking steps to prevent falls. If your loved one falls while in a nursing home you may want to know if the facility was doing their due diligence.

Suspect nursing home negligence, abuse or neglect?

Talk to us about your suspected case of of nursing home abuse or neglect. We’ve handled many such cases in the Hampton Roads area, and we know the signs of abuse and how to effectively handle a case of suspected abuse or neglect. Don’t let a fall ruin your loved one’s life – please call us now or fill out our online contact form.

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