If you worry about how a fall could affect you as an older adult or you are struggling to piece your life together following a recent accident, it is very important to go over information on this devastating issue. Falls shatter the lives of many older adults each year, and statistics reveal how prevalent these accidents actually are.
This data should serve as a reminder for everyone to take steps to prevent slip-and-fall accidents. Moreover, business owners, property owners and workers should identify hazards that can cause older adults as well as people of all ages to fall down.
Data on the consequences of older adult falls
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults (65 and over) who fell down during 2019 accounted for three million emergency department visits over the course of the year. Furthermore, falls claimed more lives of older adults than any other injury-related cause of death in 2019. In fact, more than 34,000 older adults lost their lives due to falling down in 2019.
Every year falls that involve older adults lead to $50 billion in medical expenses.
Risk factors associated with older adult falls
Older adults continue to fall down for a host of reasons. For example, you could slip on a slick surface while shopping because a business owner failed to deal with a leak promptly, or you could slip on an icy surface while walking outside in the winter. Clutter, broken steps and cords can also lead to a fall.
If a fall has turned your life upside down and another party’s negligence contributed to the accident, they should answer for the consequences.