Aging In Place: Preventing Falls In Older Adults

Falls among older Americans are common, dangerous and preventable.

In the United States each year over 14 million adults age 65 and older—about one in four—experience a fall, and roughly 3 million of them result in emergency department visits.

More than 800,000 older adults are hospitalized every year because of injuries from falls, which are the most-common cause of traumatic brain injury and hip fractures.

While not every fall causes serious injuries, according to 2023 CDC data, accidental falls led to more than 5.6 million ER visits and more than 41,000 adults over the age of 65 died due to falls.

Preventive actions such as regular balance and strength exercises, checking your medications and making simple home adjustments can substantially reduce the risk and consequences of falls.