When a young person falls in Kentucky, that individual may be able to walk away relatively unscathed. Yet, when an older adult falls, the chances of that person suffering a serious, potentially life-altering injury are considerable. Hip fractures, in particular, are common results when older adults fall, with the vast majority of all hip fractures the result of older adults falling.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 95% of all hip fractures suffered by Americans occur after older adults fall. Sometimes, these falls happen because older adults have certain risk factors for falls, such as imbalance or poor vision. Other times, they are the result of environmental factors, such as wet floors or potholes.
How often hip fractures occur
While about 300,000 Americans 65 and over suffer hip fractures every year, the majority, or about 75%, of those affected are women. This is due to several factors. First, older women tend to fall more than older men. Second, women are more likely to have osteoporosis than men, which is a bone condition that makes bones more likely to break in a fall.
How to help prevent hip fractures
All older adults should see their doctors and undergo screenings for osteoporosis as they age. It is also wise for older adults to have periodic vision screenings to see if they need contact lenses or glasses to help with vision. Doing strength and balance exercises may, too, boost strength and flexibility, which in turn helps reduce fall risks.
When hip fractures do occur, they take both a physical and a financial toll. The chances of an older adult suffering a hip fracture also increase alongside age.