Falls are the sixth leading cause of death in people over the age of 65. Among seniors, falls are more common than stroke and can be just as serious. Falls cause more than 90% of broken hips, and only half of those who break their hips will ever fully recover.
In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health estimates that 150 seniors a day are hospitalized as a result of a fall-related injury at an annual cost to our health care system of $391 million. More than 90% of these bills are paid by Medicare and Medicaid.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has issued a report on hospital emergency department visits for fall-related injuries in 2006.
Among nursing facility residents, who are more frail than seniors living at home, the risk of falls can be even greater and potentially more harmful. That is why the Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation has made falls prevention a major priority and co-founded the Massachusetts Falls Prevention Coalition along with the Department of Public Health and the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts to raise awareness among senior care providers and others of the harmful impact of falls and the availability of successful prevention strategies.
Efforts by the Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation and others to reduce falls and injuries in long term care facilities have resulted in a 26% decrease in hip fractures due to falls over a five-year period (2003-2007). This reduction in injuries has resulted in an estimated cost savings of over $8.5 million.
Research suggests that a comprehensive, multi-component approach is needed to reduce the occurrence of falls and serious injuries. This includes tracking falls incidence on a monthly basis, conducting a post-fall assessment and analysis, and then putting that information back in the hands of frontline professionals, residents, and family members who can implement effective strategies for positive change.
The Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation has piloted a Fall Risk Assessment Tool that is being used by care providers to determine which long term care residents are at greatest risk of falling and to develop care plans to minimize those risks. In addition, the nationally recognized Falls Management Program developed at Emory University is recommended as a consensus-based, best practice to prevent falls and injuries.
Facilities interested in attending one of Mass Senior Care’s falls prevention events should contact Alissa Weintraub for upcoming sessions.