Life Expectancy After Fall In Elderly
More than one in four elderly citizens fall each and every year, sometimes resulting in serious injuries. Sadly, over 32,000 seniors pass away due to fall-related injuries each year.
At-home falls are actually one of the biggest causes of injury among the elderly. Making safety updates to a home or an apartment is crucial as seniors continue to age. Porch steps, stairs, and other obstacles can pose real threats inside a home. Let’s take a look at elderly falls and life expectancy after injury.
How Does A Fall Cause Death In The Elderly?
There are many factors that can contribute to a long recovery process after a fall. Things like pre-existing medical conditions, old age, and frailty can all contribute to a long and tough recovery process. Ground-level falls are actually responsible for the most serious injuries for senior citizens. One recent study concluded that older adults are three times more likely to die after ground-level falls than those under the age of 70.
Another study conducted by the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control said that nearly half of fall-related deaths among seniors ages 65 and up involved some sort of head injury. Prognosis and treatment can still be quite complicated for falls that do not involve the head.
Of course, hospitalizations will still come with some risks. Even when an elderly individual survives a fall and receives adequate medical care, the longer hospital stay could result in discharge to a long-term senior care facility. Longer stays at the hospital can increase vulnerability to several diseases.
Elderly Fall Consequences
Ultimately, the seriousness of a fall depends on the nature of the accident. For example, the way someone falls could be the difference between something like a broken hip or a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The most common injuries related to falls are fractured bones and soft tissue injuries. Even minor trauma can result in hospitalizations for the elderly, unfortunately. Some seniors may never regain their level of functionality.
Vista Winds Is An Upscale Retirement Community Located In Peoria, Arizona
If you are doing research about retirement communities in Peoria, Arizona, Vista Winds Retirement Home should definitely be on your list. Vista Winds offers retirement living at its finest. We have a rich calendar of activities, meals prepared by a Chef and caregivers on staff 24 hours a day for your health and safety. We offer award winning independent living, assisted living and memory care services. Come tour our community to see how we are a step above the rest and how easy it is to Make Yourself at Home! Vista Winds is surrounded by amazing views and our resort style property will be sure to impress!