Falls are a growing health problem for older adults, and there are many myths about falling. The most important message we can share with our communities is that falls are preventable.
Older Adult Falls Prevention Program Fact Sheet (PDF)
Falls in Washington State:
- Each year, 28% of Washington residents over age 65 experience a fall
- In Washington State, fall-related injuries account for more than half of all injury-related deaths of adults aged 65+ in Washington State, and 70% of all injury-related deaths for adults aged 85+
- In 2018, Washington State had the 16th-highest rate of fall-related deaths in the nation for adults age 65+, and the 5th highest rate of self-reported falls.
- The total number of deaths from falls and fall-related injuries has more than doubled in the last 15 years, from 393 in 2000 to 920 in 2018
- In 2018 there were 20,994 hospitalizations for falls among adults age 65+
- 25% of all fall-related hospitalizations for adults age 65+ are for people with a diagnosis of dementia
The cost of health care and rehabilitation can be financially debilitating for an individual, as well as a community. Direct medical costs for falls in the U.S - what patients and insurance companies pay – totals $50 billion per year (CDC). In 2014, the lifetime cost for falls in Washington State was $451 million.
Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head injuries, and can increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that are largely preventable.
Things you can do to prevent falls:
Perform balance and strengthening exercises at least three times a week. See our Resources Page for information on evidence-based falls prevention programs in your community, and resources on how to prevent falls at home.
Always wear shoes that fit your feet well and have solid, non-skid soles.
Have your doctor or pharmacist review your medications for fall-related side effects.
Have your vision checked by an eye doctor every year, and wear glasses if prescribed.
Ask your doctor to do a fall risk screening, and tell them if you have fallen recently.
Make your home safer by putting grab bars in the shower, adding rails on both sides of your stairs and removing throw rugs.
Ask your healthcare provider about taking Vitamin D supplements.
Review this video “Six Steps to Prevent a Fall” from the National Council on Aging to learn more
Read more about older adult falls on the Centers for Disease Control page.
The role of the DOH Older Adult Falls Prevention Program is to:
Implement Finding Our Balance: Washington State Action Plan for Older Adult Falls Prevention
Increase public awareness and educate older adults, caregivers and healthcare providers about risk factors and how to prevent falls.
Partner with health organizations and providers to improve patient safety and decrease the burden of falls on our healthcare system.
Transform messaging around falls to emphasize independence and empowerment.
Support, identify and disseminate evidence-based fall prevention programs and strategies
Promote program fidelity for evidence based programs through continuing education.
Engage regional fall prevention coalition members to develop strategies to reduce falls.
Collect, analyze and distribute fall data.
Partner with the National Council on Aging to coordinate the Washington State Falls Prevention Coalition, an official member coalition of the NCOA Falls Free Initiative.