Get the Facts on Falls Prevention

Most of us know someone who has experienced a fall, or we have fallen ourselves. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. But through practical lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based falls prevention programs, and clinical-community partnerships, the number of falls among older adults can be substantially reduced.

The challenges of falls for older adults

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other falls research:

• Fourteen million, or 1 in 4 Americans age 65+, fall each year.
• Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults.
• In 2021, falls caused 38,000 deaths among those age 65+, and emergency departments reported 3 million visits due to older adult falls.
• The cost of treating injuries caused by falls among older adults is projected to increase to over $101 billion by 2030.
• Among older adults who fall, over half receive care in a hospital; the estimated annual average cost per inpatient visit for fall injuries is $18,658, and $1,112 per emergency department visit.
• Based on data from 2020, the total health care cost of non-fatal older adult falls is $80 billion per year, up from $50 billion in 2015. Sixty-seven percent of fall-related costs are paid for by Medicare, 4% by Medicaid, and 29% is paid privately/out-of-pocket by older adults and families.

Falls risk factors

Get to know these common risk factors for falls, take the Falls Free CheckUp to check your falls risk, and talk with a health care provider about how to reduce your risk for falls.

• Falling once doubles the risk of falling again.
• People with vision loss have almost twice the risk of falls as adults without vision impairment.
• People with hearing loss are nearly three times as likely to fall compared to those with normal hearing, but wearing a hearing aid reduces the risk of falling by 50%.
• Lower body weakness and difficulties with walking and balance increase someone’s risk for falls.
• Certain medications can have side effects and interactions, such as dizziness and fatigue, that increase the risk of falls.
• Chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis can increase the risk of falls due to neuropathy, pain, and other symptoms that can affect walking and balance.
• Hazards in the home, including clutter, poor lighting, and lack of supports such as grab bars, can cause falls. Home modifications can address these hazards to reduce fall risk in the home.

Falls, with or without injury, also carry a heavy quality of life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.

National Falls Prevention Resource Center

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) leads the National Falls Prevention Resource Center, which supports awareness and educational efforts about falls and promotes evidence-based falls prevention programs and strategies across the nation.

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