Fall Prevention Program Falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Seventy-five percent of these falls occur in the older adult population. One third of the older adults who fall, sustain a hip fracture and are hospitalized, die within a year. Falls not only affect the quality of life of the individual but also influence the caregiver and family. Even if the fall does not result in hospitalization, fear of falling becomes a major factor.
Fear leads to inactivity and loss of confidence.
This, in turn produces a cycle of fear, loss of self-confidence, and inactivity, thereby decreasing the quality of life and increasing the risk of falls. Therefore they question the expenditure of the dollars for fall prevention. However, the argument can be countered by the fact that fall prevention programs may preserve and possibly improve the quality of life for even one individual. Second, we do not know the long-term health care benefits and reduction in costs for the general population. Our knowledge as health care professionals may be able to reduce falls through volunteer efforts.