Everett, WA - The following statistics were taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Injury Prevention website:

More than one-third of adults ages 65 years and older fall each year (Hornbrook 1994; Hausdorff 2001).

Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths (Murphy 2000) and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma (Alexander 1992).

In 2003 more than 1.8 million seniors ages 65 and older were treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries and more than 421,000 were hospitalized.

In 2002, nearly 13,000 people ages 65 and older died from fall-related injuries (CDC 2004).  More than 60% of people who die from falls are 75 and older (Murphy).

Of those who fall, 20%to 30% suffer moderate to severe injuries such as hip fractures or head traumas that reduce mobility and independence, and increase the risk of premature death (Sterling).

Among people ages 75 years and older, those who fall are four to five times more likely to be admitted to a long-term care facility for a year or longer.

Among older adults, the majority of fractures are caused by falls (Bell 2000).

White men have the highest fall-related death rates, followed by white women, black men and black women (CDC 2004).

Among both sexes, hip fracture rates increase exponentially with age (Samelson 2002).  People ages 85 years and older are 10 to 15 times more likely to sustain hip fractures than are people ages 60-65 (Scott).

In 2000, direct medical cost totaled $179 million dollars for fatal and $19 billion dollars for nonfatal fall injuries ( Stevens 2005, CDC 1996).

From 2000 to 2040, the number of people age 65 or older is projected to increase from 34.8 million to 77.2 million.  Given our aging population, by the year 2040, the number of hip fractures in expected to exceed 500,000.

So…..

Have you been feeling unsteady lately?  Have you read all the stories in the newspaper about well known people in their 70’s and 80’s who have fallen and died due to the fall or complications from the fall?  Have you spoken to someone who told you that you’re just “getting old” and there was nothing you could do about it?  Well,  THEY WERE WRONG!

Falls exact a huge physical and psychological toll on our aging population.  After reading the statistics above, you can see some of the results in physical and monetary terms.  The psychological cost of falls is also high.  Over half of seniors who have fallen state that they now significantly reduce their activity level due to a fear of falling again.  This leads to further de conditioning and actually INCREASES the chances they will experience another fall!

Research is showing that people who are evaluated and have specific exercises prescribed for them will experience a decreased risk of falling.  Simple tests, ranging from 5-10 minutes each, can assess your risk of falling.  If risk is low, we can educate you in preventative measures to implement to improve safety in your home and environment.  If your risk is high, further more specific testing will be necessary.  This will allow us to develop a customized exercise program, designed to retrain the systems involved with maintaining balance.  We can train your inner ear, eyes, muscles, brain and other components of  your balance system to work faster and more efficiently, resulting in greater stability. 

Speak with your physician today.  See if you would be appropriate for Balance and Fall Prevention Training.  Please don’t wait until it is too late.  Prevent a fall, don’t take one!