Preventing Falls
Experts Weigh in on Growing Threat Posed by Falls for the Vulnerable and Homebound By Allison Simms, Associate Director of Rehabilitation Services at VNS Health HEALTH - While often underreported, falls are a growing issue that cannot be ignored when it comes to senior health and safety. This September provides an opportunity to shine a light on this serious issue during National Fall Prevention Awareness Month. With more than 3 million people each year being treated in emergency facilities for falls, fall prevention should be top of mind year-round. The statistics on home falls among seniors provided by the CDC are alarming, with roughly 25% of individuals 65 or older experiencing a fall each year. However, the numbers are actually much higher because less than half of falls are reported out of fear and embarrassment. For example, a mother may not tell her daughter that she fell out of fear of being put into a nursing home. In my role as ...