Fall Statistics and Causes of Falls

Overview

Falls are a major health problem for older adults and can also be of concern for people with certain
developmental disabilities. Understanding what causes falls, how to decrease the number of falls, and how to respond to falls is important to promoting client safety.

Fall Statistics

• One in four Americans aged 65+ falls each year.
• Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall, and every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.
• Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.
• Falls cause more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency departments every year, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths.
• Women fall more often than men.

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Causes of Falls

Falls can happen because of environmental or health-related causes.

Environmental Causes of Falls

• Low or poor lighting
• Household items such as throw rugs, cords, furniture and pets
• Wet or slippery floors
• Uneven floors

Health-Related Causes of Falls

• Infection
• Vision and hearing problems
• Impaired balance or awareness
• Reduced strength
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Seizures
• Medications
• Dehydration or malnutrition
• Slowed reaction time
• Lack of physical activity

Diseases and Conditions that Increase the Risk of a Fall

• Stroke

• Joint or heart disease
• Neuropathy
• Dementia
• Delirium
• Depression
• Parkinson’s disease