Each hour, seven older Americans die from fall-related injuries. In Florida and Duval County, residents aged 65+ die more frequently from falls than from any accidental causes. A fall is often catastrophic for older adults. Nationally, the Centers For Disease Control and prevention documents over 300,000 senior fall accidents each year.
Older fall victims sustain a variety of fall-related injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, limb fractures, and spinal cord injuries. They are also at high risk for hip fractures. When a fall victim is older, hip fractures often lead to serious disabilities and premature death. Older women have a greater risk of hip fractures due to osteoporosis and bone loss. Those who take blood thinners are more susceptible to serious brain injuries.