They estimate that instead of 5,000 hip fractures a year Finland will have 7,850 in year 2000 and 10,650 in 2010. The same cohorts tend to have similar health problems but different cohorts can have different health experiences. Dr. Martyn from Southampton in England, argues in a Lancet editorial, that the Finns did not allow for cohort changes. About a third of people aged 65 and older fall each year. One in five elderly women who fall break a hip.
Most falls occur at home.
About half of independent elderly who fracture a hip become partially dependent and ultimately a third become totally dependent. Nearly half require canes or walkers permanently. The damage in falls depends on how you fall. If you are walking quickly you will fall forward and break your wrist. It will heal without serious consequences.