A fall happens if a person lands on the ground or a lower level without meaning to. Most falls take place indoors and are due to a slip, trip, or loss of balance. A fall can also happen because of hazards in a person’s home, medication side effects, a new illness, or fainting. 

If a person falls, they may become afraid of falling again. This concern can lead to less activity and fitness, which can increase the risk of another fall.

How Common are Falls?

• One out of three older adults have a fall each year. And half of older adults who fall once will fall again within a year. 
•  Each year, three million older adults go to the emergency room because of falls. Over 800,000 need to go into the hospital. 
• Falls are the top cause of injuries in older adults. 
•  Older women are twice as likely to fall and break a bone as older men. However, men have a higher risk of dying after a fall.

Most falls result in no injuries or minor injuries

However, up to 20 percent of falls can cause a major injury, such as a fracture (broken bone). Falls can also cause brain injuries, like concussions.

One of the most serious fractures is a broken hip. Most people will recover after getting rehabilitation (services to help a person regain their abilities) like physical therapy. But many older people who break their hip don’t regain their prior level of function. They may continue to need support and services long-term.

Falls increase use of medical care

For older adults, falls are the number one cause of hospital admissions. The older a person is when they fall, the more likely they need to go to a nursing home after a hospitalization.

Last Updated July 2024