Falls

Abstract

Nearly one third of people 65 years of age or older fall each year. This risk increases with age and is much higher among persons living in long-term care institutions than among those in the community¹. From 10 to 15 percent of falls result in serious injuries, at least half of which are fractures^2,3. In white women, only 1 percent of falls result in hip fractures, but such fractures account for a large share of the disability, death, and medical costs associated with falls. Falls can break self-confidence as well as bones: up to a quarter of . . .