Slip and fall accidents can happen at any time and any place. Sometimes it is just that, an accident plain and simple. Other times, it may be due to the negligence of another party. Whatever the cause, the elderly – those 65 and older – are at a greater risk to fall and suffer a serious, sometimes life-threatening, injury.
Elderly: 29 million falls. 800,000 hospitalizations. 28,000 deaths. Click To Tweet
“About 146,571 people died from unintentional injury-related deaths in 2015, according to Injury Facts 2017.”
The good news: with the proper safety precautions and awareness of the hazards, these types of deaths and injuries are preventable.
The first day of fall this year, September 22, 2016, is the Annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Sponsored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), this event is designed to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults.
Did you know that 1 in 3 older Americans fall every year? Click To Tweet
Slip, trip and fall accidents often result in minor injuries — bruises, tenderness, a sprained wrist, some scrapes, cuts, and a bruised ego. We laugh to cover up our embarrassment and move on.
However, slip and fall accidents account for over 1 million hospital emergency room visits each year, some of which result in much more serious injuries.
