As an older adult, you may have risk factors that make you more likely to fall when environmental hazards present themselves. Many people within your age group lack the strength, flexibility and balance that younger Americans have. If you count yourself among them, this may make you not only more likely to fall, but also more likely to seriously injure yourself or even die when you do.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that falls are so common and deadly among members of your age group that they have become the leading cause of injury-related death affecting those 65 or older. Not only that, but the number of older adults passing away on account of fall-related injuries has increased by 30% between 2009 and 2018. What might be to blame for the uptick?
Risk factors
Older adults tend to move about less than younger ones, and this alone enhances fall risk. Losing balance and flexibility makes it harder for you to stop yourself from falling. If you take certain or multiple prescription medications, which is common among older adults, this, too, may make you more likely to fall and injure yourself in doing so.
Environmental factors
When you have certain risk factors in place, you may find it that much harder to avoid environmental hazards such as slippery store floors, loose stairway handrails or wires in places they should not be. For this reason, property owners have an obligation to keep their homes and businesses free from debris, moisture and other factors that may cause you to fall.
Find more about injuries caused by negligent property owners on our webpage.
