Fall Prevention in Late Life

Falling is a major public health concern for older adults. One in 3 adults aged 65+ and 1 in 2 adults aged 80+ fall each year, often suffering major changes to health and quality of life. Unintentional falls and traumatic brain injuries result in significant morbidity and mortality; falls, in fact, are the leading cause of hospital admission and injury-related death in older adults. Reduction of fall risk is associated with improved physical and emotional well-being for aging adults, and risk minimization has the potential to enhance overall, long-term quality of life. Residents of long-term care facilities are at greater risk of falling than community-dwelling older adults, but both populations face significant fall risk. The specific fall prevention measures highlighted below are essential to reduce fall-related injury and mortality, as well as the high medical costs associated with falls in late life.