Quick Facts...
• The risk of falling increases with age and is greater for women than for men.
• Two-thirds of those who experience a fall will fall again within six months.
• At least one-third of all falls in the elderly involve hazards in the home.

Causes and Prevention
The causes of falls are known as risk factors. Although no single risk factor causes all falls, the greater the number of risk factors to which an individual is exposed, the greater the probability of a fall and the more likely the results of the fall will threaten the person's independence.

Many of these risk factors are preventable. As obvious as it may sound, a lack of knowledge about risk factors and how to prevent them contributes to many falls. Some people believe that falls are a normal part of aging, and as such are not preventable. Lack of knowledge leads to lack of preventive action, resulting in falls.

Factor: Environmental Hazards
At least one-third of all falls in the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home. The most common hazard for falls is slippery floors, showers and bathtubs.

Prevention Tips Bathrooms
• Install grab bars on walls around the tub.
• Add nonskid surface to bathtubs.
• Use nonskid mats or carpet on floor surfaces that may get wet.