Trends in Fall-Related Hospital Admissions in Older Persons in the Netherlands

Abstract

Approximately one-third of all people 65 years or older fall each year, and half of those fall repeatedly.^1,2 Even a low-energy trauma, such as a fall incident, causes physical injuries. Around 10% of all fall incidents result in serious injuries and require a hospital admission. Fall-related hospital admissions in older patients are generally due to hip fractures (50%), fractures of the arm (13%), and head injuries (10%).^3,4 Falls do not only lead to physical injuries but may also have a large impact on the quality of life of elderly individuals^2,3,5-10 and on health care costs.^11-13