New report on falls highlights risks to elderly

New government numbers are out about falls among the elderly and the figures sure aren’t pretty. Among people 65 and older, the rate of fatalities from falls has grown dramatically since 1993. And men continue to be at considerably higher risk than women -- at least for fatal falls.

This new analysis by the Centers for Disease Control is based on death certificates, emergency-room reports and hospital discharge reports.

The report notes that unintentional falls affect about 30 percent of people 65 and older. And falls, as the CDC points out, can lead to death, disability and nursing home admissions. In 2003, 13,700 elderly people died from falls while 1.8 million were treated in emergency rooms for nonfatal injuries.

The rate of fatal falls grew from 23.7 for every 100,000 persons 65 and older in 1993 to 36.8 in 2003, according to the report. The fatal fall rate for men was about 50 percent higher than for women.

The increasing rate of fatal falls may be due to the declining mortality rate from such chronic conditions as heart disease, cancer and stroke, according to the CDC. As a result, a greater proportion of older adults are living with chronic diseases, “leaving them at greater risk for falling and less likely to survive the injuries resulting from a fall.”

However, the report did contain some good news: hospitalization rates for hip fractures appear to be declining for women in the past decade. For men, however, that rate may be starting to creep up -- suggesting a need for more attention to osteoporosis screening and treatment in men, the CDC said.

To reduce the risk of falls, the CDC and other agencies recommend the following, among other things:

• Regular exercise.
• Reviewing medications to reduce side effects and interactions. Some medicines -- or combination of medicines -- can make you drowsy or light-headed and more likely to fall.
• Having yearly eye exams; poor vision can increase the chances of falling.
• Reducing fall hazards in the home: That includes:
  •  Removing tripping hazards such as clutter in walkways and on stairs. Either remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping
  • Keeping often-used items in cabinets that are easy to reach -- without a step stool.
  • Using non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
  • Installing grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower.
  • Having handrails put in on both sides of stairways.
  • Improving lighting throughout the house.

More information, including a room-by-room checklist, can be found in the CDC booklet Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults (PDF download).