In this week s episode of ER , Carter falls through a window and dislocates his shoulder. The following information was provided by Dr. Lincoln, the American Medical Association, the CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, and the National Institute on Aging. Because most people lose bone density as they grow older, the fractures from fall-induced injuries is a major concern. Falling is a serious public health problem for the elderly population. Each year in the United States, one of every three people older than age 65 falls.
Falls are the most common cause of injuries and hospital admissions for trauma among the elderly.
Recent research has found that the number of older persons with fall-induced injuries is increasing at a tremendous rate. Dr. Lincoln cites the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen as the top three places elderly individuals are most likely to fall in the home. The most common fall-related injuries are bone breaks, or fractures, of the hip, spine, pelvis, leg, ankle, and forearm. Dr. Lincoln points out that these types of fractures are the most serious consequences from falling. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control has found that falls account for 87 percent of all fractures among people aged 65 years or older and are the second leading cause of spinal cord and brain injury among this age group.