Falls and falls prevention > Facts about falls

Facts about falls

Research in the past decade has provided considerable information about the extent and the seriousness of falls among older adults.(1)

How many older adults fall each year in Canada?

• Each year, one quarter to one third of all older adults experience at least one fall.(3),(4)
• In a one-year period, 39.8% of veterans had one or more falls.(5)

What is the cost of falls to the health care system?

• Health cares costs related to falls are $2.8 billion - almost half of these costs are for older adults who fall.(6)

What is the cost for older adults?
Older adults experience multiple costs in relation to falls:

Personal injury

• Falls are the most common cause of injury for older adults.(7)
• Falls cause more than 90% of all hip fractures. And, 80% of those who survive a hip fracture lose the ability to perform at least some activities of daily living.(8)

Fear of falling

• Being cautious and aware of risky situations can be healthy. Problems arise when this normal caution becomes a fear of falling. This fear causes many older adults to limit their activities resulting in less physical activity, and reduced strength and flexibility. This in turn can increase the risk of falling.(9)

Loss of independent living

• Falls can result in the loss of independence for older adults. About 40% of nursing home admissions are the direct result of a fall.(10)

Death related to injuries from falls

• Falls are a major cause of injury related deaths among older adults.(7)
• Falls are the 6th leading cause of death among older adults in Canada.(11)
• Twenty percent of older adults who break a hip die within one year.(8)