92 Falls are the leading cause of accidental death for the elderly. They account for about half of all accidental deaths in the home. In rural areas, these accidents can be very frightening if a person lives alone.
Help is often thirty minutes or more away.
Most injuries caused by falls happen at ground level and not from high places. Chances of falling increase when it is dark, when things are not put away, and when spills are not cleaned up quickly. Broken or damaged household items may also result in falls. You are more likely to fall when you are sick, tired, rushed or emotionally upset. You are also more likely to fall when you are using alcohol or drugs, whether by prescription or not.