It’s officially fall on the calendar, and a couple of organizations are using the season to bring awareness to the rate at which the nation’s elderly sustain fall-related injuries.
It has nothing to do with the season in particular, but more to do with the propensity for those 65 and older to take a tumble. The National Council on Aging and the Falls Free Coalition promoted Fall Prevention Awareness Day on Thursday.
The Centers for Disease Control says trips and falls are the number one cause of injury and death for those aged 65 and older. In 2015, there were 42-thousand fall-related hospital visits in Indiana.
Bones become more fragile as someone ages and the Indiana State Department of Health says it’s important to be mindful of tripping hazards such as stairs, rugs, and items on the floor.
Seniors can play a big role though by staying physically fit, seeing your eye doctors, making sure you’re taking a proper amount of medications, and slowing down.
