Cost of Falls

In the USA, one out of four people over 65 years old report falling every year. Of those, about 50% will fall again within six months.

About 20-30% of older people who fall will incur moderate to severe injuries. Many people sustain fractures and require surgery, or experience significant pain. Falling is the leading cause of hip fracture and traumatic brain injuries in older adults.

Many of those who are seriously injured are unable to return home and live alone again, which costs a lot of money and causes a lot of suffering. Fall-related injuries are the number one reason for admission to a nursing home.

The medical bills, as well as bills from being unable to return home, can quickly pile up and become overwhelming. An average fall that requires a hospital stay costs about $20,000, excluding the cost of physician services.

As a community, we really want to spread the word about fall prevention in order to improve the quality of life of our aging population, and those that we love and care about.

Financial costs are not the only cost; there is also a significant emotional and social impact on someone who has fallen.

For more information on the cost, click here.

What To Do

If someone has a fall, they may continue to do so since a history of falling increases the likelihood of future falls.

Falling should always be reported to your Primary Care Physician, even if there is no resulting injury. Your physician will conduct appropriate screening and examination tests.

You can ask your physician for a referral to physical therapy, especially Vestibular Rehabilitation to reduce your risk of falling again.

If you are suffering from repeated falls, it may be wise to reach out to a professional who specializes in this area.

To read more about why this may be happening, check out our other resource.