preventing falls in your communityThe bad news is falls in Minnesota have been increasing. The good news is there are easy ways you can reduce an older adult’s risk of falling.
A quick proven screening is an easy first step in detecting those at risk and reducing falls and the major injuries that can result from falling. Screening older adults is easy and manageable for professionals to do, just by asking the right questions.
Ask the following three questions of older adults regularly:
- Have you fallen in the past year?
- How many times have you fallen in the past year?
- Are you afraid of falling?
Having a major fall can change one’s life forever. It could mean giving up living a full independent life. Learn the many ways you can keep Minnesotans right side up.
Turning Falls in Minnesota Right Side Up
Sometimes being at the top is not the best. Minnesota has the third highest unintentional fall death rate in the country. Falls are the number one cause of all trauma care in Minnesota hospitals. Here are some more numbers that we need to change:- Women age 50 and older are more likely than men to fall.
- Men age 50 and older are more likely to die from a fall until about age 70.
- Older Minnesotans account for more than 60% of fall-related hospitalizations and 85% of fall deaths.
- Costs for non-fatal falls for Older Minnesotans are high - $162 million for hospital charges and $20.4 million for emergency department charges in 2005.
Why Can’t Minnesotans Stay Upright?
Anyone can fall although more often falls occur in older adults. Falls are often the result of many factors related to the individual and his or her environment.
| Not Modifiable | Modifiable |
|---|---|
| Older age | Muscle weakness |
| Female | Gait and balance problems |
| Chronic diseases | Vision problems |
| Mentally impaired | Psychoactive medications |
| Not Modifiable | Modifiable |
|---|---|
| Cold temperatures | Clutter in walkways |
| Uneven pavement | No stair railings or grab bars |
| Poor public space designs | Loose rugs |
| Dim lighting |
Content for the Professional pages of the Minnesota Falls Prevention website was written in partnership with Gregory J. Hanson, M.D. and Ericka E. Tung M.D., MPH, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine: Division of Primary Care Internal Medicine.