Why falls matter
More than one in four adults 65 and older falls each year, and fewer than half tell their doctor. One fall doubles the chance of another. About one in ten falls causes an injury that limits activity for at least a day, and falls cause roughly 319,000 hip-fracture hospitalizations among older adults each year [1].
This week
- Tell Mom's doctor about every fall, even without injury. Ask for a fall-risk check and a medication review.
- Ask about a vision check and footwear.
- Walk the house: rugs, cords, lighting, bathroom grab bars, the step into the shower.
- Consider a medical alert device she will actually wear.
When it's more than the house
If falls keep happening, or Mom can't get up on her own, being alone may no longer be safe. Assisted living offers staff around the clock. Ask communities how they respond to falls at night. Assisted living guide.