Falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent. However, falls don’t have to be inevitable as you age. You can reduce your chance of falling or help a loved one prevent falls. There are proven ways to reduce and prevent falls, even for older adults. We identify older adults as anyone 65 years and older. CDC uses data and research to help prevent falls and save lives.
36,000
Falls among adults 65 and older caused over 36,000 deaths in 2020, making it the leading cause of injury death for that group.
3 Million
In 2020, emergency departments recorded 3 million visits for older adult falls.
$50 Billion
Older adult falls cost $50 billion in medical costs annually, with 3/4 paid by Medicare and Medicaid.
Resources
- Keep on Your Feet—CDC Older Adult Falls Feature Article
- MyMobility Plan
- Medicines Risk: Are Your Medicines Increasing Your Risk of a Fall or Car Crash?
- Transportation Safety: Older Adult Drivers
- Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Elder Abuse Prevention
Articles
- A Descriptive Analysis of Location of Older Adult Falls that Resulted in Emergency Department Visits in the U.S., 2015 (American Journal of Lifestyle Living, August 2020)
- Trends in Nonfatal Falls and Fall-related Injuries Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years—U.S., 2012–2018 (MMWR, July 2020)
- Fall-related Emergency Department Visits Involving Alcohol Among Older Adults (Journal of Safety Research, June 2020)
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