Falls Prevention

A growing number of older adults (65 years of age and older) fear falling and as a result, limit their activities and social life. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation and feelings of helplessness.

How Big is the Problem?

 

• In 2020 over 400 older adults in Connecticut died from a fall and over 37,000 were sent to the hospital for care.
• Nearly 85% of fall-related deaths occurred in older adults.
• Older adults are nearly 5 times more likely to die from a fall than their younger counterparts.
• More than 50% of fatal falls co-occurred with a serious head injury.
• More than 43% of fall-related hospital admissions in older adults co-occurred with hip fracture.
• 70% of fall-related hospital admissions occurred in adults 65 years and older, resulting in $1.7 million of direct patient charges.

Many falls can be prevented. Studies show that a combination of measures can significantly reduce the risk of falling and increasing awareness of the key measures that older adults can take to reduce their risk is important.

Falls and Older Adults

 

There are a variety of reasons why an older adult might fall. These may include biological, behavioral, and environmental factors. These risk factors include:

• A previous fall;
• Chronic health conditions (e.g., arthritis, stroke);
• Conditions in the home (e.g., slippery floors, loose rugs, cords on the floor, poor lighting);
• Fear of falling;
• Medicines (including interaction effects);
• Mobility problems (e.g., muscle weakness, balance);
• Poor nutrition (leading to weakness, dizziness, fainting), and ;
• Poor vision or hearing.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health recommends the following actions to help prevent falls:

 

• Begin a regular exercise program, especially one that increases balance, strength, and flexibility;
• Consult with a health professional about getting a fall risk assessment;
• Have all medications, prescription and over-the-counter, reviewed periodically for drug interactions that could lead to falls;
• Get your vision checked at least annually by an eye doctor; and
• Make your home safer by reducing tripping hazards, installing handrails and grab bars, and improving lighting.
  

Resources

FallsFREECT Coalition

          Connecticut Falls Prevention Program Guide

Take a Stand to Prevent Falls in Older Adults - OIVP Program Fact Sheet 2019

Unintentional Fall-Related Injury in Connecticut - IVSU Statistical Fact Sheet 2021

CDC Falls Among Older Adults

A Guide to Implementing Effective Community-Based Fall Prevention Programs

Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant

The Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHSBG) provides all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 2 American Indian tribes, and 8 US territories with funding to address their unique public health needs in innovative and locally defined ways. This program gives grantees the flexibility to use funds to respond rapidly to emerging health issues and to fill funding gaps in programs that deal with leading causes of death and disability.

 

PHHSBG funding is currently provided to local health departments in Connecticut to address the risk factors for falls among older adults including environmental hazards, medication interactions, and physical inactivity. Strategies include home safety assessments to identify and correct injury hazards, provision of safety supplies, fall prevention seminars and exercise classes, medication safety reviews, and training for service providers.

 

The Office of Injury and Violence Prevention 

(860) 509-8251