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Important Facts about Falls

Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control, three consistently prevailing facts are common among those seniors who do fall:

  1. More than one out of four older people falls each year.1
  2. Less than half of the seniors who fall, tell their doctor. 2  
  3. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again. 3 

Twenty Five Percent (1/4) of All Senior Adults Fall Each Year!

When you think about the aging populous of the senior generation, this is a staggering statistic!  The financial and emotional implications to our elders (and their families) is staggering…. As our “boomers” continue to age, the emotional and financial implications will only increase!  

For those who fall, and are injured, the costs of medical care huge.  Also, the fact that many turn to family caregivers to help them to return to their own home, thereby placing the burden upon their family for time and financial commitment. Many caregivers are finding that they have to miss work and/or pay for home care or other expenses out of their own pockets.  This dilemma will have long-term ramifications for future generations as they, in turn, face the challenges of their own aging.

“Mums the Word!”

If and when a senior falls, nearly half of them require assistance to get up. Oftentimes, unless there is visible bruising, they will never tell anyone that they had that event happen – not even their doctors!  

Unfortunately, many falls could be a result of a medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection, or perhaps their medications need to be changed….  Thus, it is encouraged that the person who falls, share that information with their medical professional(s). Sadly, many feel that to disclose that they fell equates to the fear that they will ultimately lose their independence.  Yet, the old adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is true in this case.  If a doctor can be proactive (rather than reactive) in the seniors care, they can help the patient to have a better quality of life!

The “Fear of Falling Cycle” Begins!

When you fall and you're elderly, all of a sudden your world changes!

Once a senior experiences a fall, they are fearful of falling again.  Therefore, they try to reduce the risk of falling by becoming less active.  Because of the reduced activity, they become weaker, have reduced range of motion, become more unstable, and thus fall again.   It is a vicious cycle that perpetuates itself into making their fear become a reality.

A Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), like Around the Clock Medical Alarms, will not prevent a fall, heart attack, or other emergency from occurring, but it will enable an individual to get help if/when an emergent event occurs. Therefore, medical care can be administered to those individuals who are affected, at the time of occurrence, rather than becoming the statistic of someone who lays there for hours or days after something happens. Unfortunately, we all have heard of someone, or personally know someone, that this has happened to; irregardless of the modern technology that is available to help to reduce these types of outcomes following a life-changing event.

For questions, more information, or to learn how beneficial a personal emergency button, also known as “medic alert” can be, please call (toll free) at  877-449-5566 or visit online.

Around the Clock Medical Alarms is based out of Cape Girardeau, MO, serving the greater St. Louis, MO area, all of Missouri and across the United States.

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References

  1. Bergen G, Stevens MR, Burns ER. Falls and Fall Injuries Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States, 2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:993–998. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6537a2

  2. Stevens JA, Ballesteros MF, Mack KA, Rudd RA, DeCaro E, Adler G. Gender differences in seeking care for falls in the aged Medicare Population. Am J Prev Med 2012;43:59–62.

  3. O’Loughlin J et al. Incidence of and risk factors for falls and injurious falls among the community-dwelling elderly. American journal of epidemiology, 1993, 137:342-54.

 

 

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