Falling DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SENIORS' LAST TRIP.

• Author: Sculpo, Thomas P.

Simple modifications around the home, various steps to build bone strength, and a commonsense approach to safety can prevent 30-40% of falls or make them less life-threatening.

Each year, more than 11,000,000 people over the age of 65 will fall. Some will have bruises and aching muscles for a few days and go on to recovery without any further problems. Others will have fractures or broken bones that may require hospitalization and rehabilitation.

A fall can be a major life-changing event. Many individuals will find their mobility is limited by the need to use a cane or walker. Some elderly people, who once were proud of their independence, will be forced to live in the care of their relatives or in nursing homes for the remainder of their lives.

Moreover, many of those who already were debilitated by other medical conditions will die within a year of a serious fall. Some studies have shown that seven to 27% of hip fracture patients die within three months after injury as a result of complications related to the injury and the extended recovery period.

It costs an estimated $20,200,000,000 annually in the U.S. for the treatment of injuries to older people after falls. Many of these involve the head, wrist, and spine, but the majority of the treatment cost is for hip fracture care. Annual expenses of the U.S. health care system for the treatment of hip fractures come to more than $9,800,060,000, or an average of $35,000 per patient.

The expected hospital stay is almost two weeks. Continuing care, including nursing homes, paid caretakers, and assistance from family members, greatly increases the expense of hip fractures beyond that of hospitalization and surgery.

Hip fractures are a significant problem for the elderly. About 25% of patients will make a full recovery: 40% will require nursing home care; 50% will need a cane or walker; and 20% will die within one year after the fall. Most hip fractures occur in older women. Women over age 65 have a 20% chance of sustaining a hip fracture during their lifetime.

About 300,000 fractures are treated annually in the U.S., and 90% occur as a result of a fall. The number of hip fractures are expected to soar in the coming decades as the population ages. The number of people 65 and older should double to 65,000,000 in 2030, and those 85 and older will increase fivefold to 15,000,000 by 2050. By the year 2000, there will be an estimated 350,000 hip fractures annually--nearly 1,000 a day.

Preventing falls

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