Probability of Falling If You're Over 65
28%
Annual probability in US
About 28% of adults aged 65 and older fall each year, resulting in 3 million emergency department visits and 36,000 deaths.
Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death among adults aged 65 and older. Approximately 28% (about 14 million) of older adults report falling at least once each year, resulting in roughly 3 million emergency department visits, 800,000 hospitalizations, and about 36,000 deaths annually.
Risk factors include muscle weakness, balance problems, vision impairment, medications (especially sedatives, antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs), home hazards (loose rugs, poor lighting, wet floors), foot problems or inappropriate footwear, chronic conditions (arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson's disease), and previous falls (having fallen once doubles the risk of falling again).
Fall prevention is highly effective and involves multiple strategies: exercise programs focusing on balance and strength (tai chi reduces fall risk by about 20-40%), medication review with a pharmacist or physician, vision correction, home safety modifications (grab bars, improved lighting, removing tripping hazards), and vitamin D supplementation (which reduces fall risk by about 14% in those who are deficient). Hip protectors can reduce hip fracture risk in nursing home residents by about 60%.
Use This in a Decision
Plug this probability into our expected value calculator to make a data-driven decision.
Start a Decision