Anyone can suffer an injury after a slip, trip or fall. But for the elderly, a fall is more likely to result in serious injury, such as a hip fracture or head injury.
A fall experienced by your elderly relative can lead to significant costs from hospitalization, care and physical therapy. And a fall can shorten your loved one’s lifespan. Property owners may be liable for falls suffered by the elderly in places such as nursing homes.
Falls are dangerous, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one out of three adults 65 or older falls each year. Other facts about falls among the elderly underscore how serious the problem is for this age group:
- Falls are the leading cause of death by injury.
- Falls are the most common cause of nonfatal injury and hospital admissions from trauma.
- In 2010, 2.3 million older adults went to the emergency room because of falls.
Ways to prevent falls among the elderly include the following:
- Older adults should exercise on a regular basis and focus on strengthening legs and improving balance.
- Older adults should have a review of medications if they are suffering from dizziness.
- Older adults should have eye exams to check the status of their vision and clean their eyeglasses regularly.
- Grab bars can be placed in bathrooms.
- Lighting can be increased inside and outside the home.
- Railings can be installed on stairways and in halls.
The elderly who suffer falls while in the care of others may be able to bring a lawsuit for their injuries.
