The Risks & Costs of Senior Fall Injuries

What Happens IF SENIORS CAN'T GET HELP IN TIME The risks & costs of senior fall injuries Everyone remembers, sometimes with laughter, the old commercials, "Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!" They're about as ubiquitous as Wendy's "Where's the beef?" commercials (also featuring an older woman), but they're not actually as humorous. Unfortunately, falls are a real concern for elderly populations. The facts about senior fall injuries may surprise you. How Extensive is the Problem? Increased Risk MEN 46%. 10,000 people turn 65 every day in the U.S. more likely to die 1 in 3 from falls than women U.S. adults aged 65+ falls every year ERs treated 2.2 MILLION nonfatal fall injuries 58% more likely to X 1,000 WOMEN 2009 experience non-fatal injury from falls than men X 100,000 TI 1/4+ 2Xmore likely to suffe a were hospitalized fracture than men 20-30% of those who fall suffer lacerations, hip fractures 3X more likely to suffer a and/or head traumas, increasing risk of early death hip fracture than men < 50% mention it to their doctors Among this age group, falls are the leading cause of: PEOPLE 75+ more likely to be Death by injury Traumatic brain injuries seriously injured by a fall than people 65-74 Nonfatal injuries Hospital trauma admissions MOST COMMON FRACTURES UPPER ARM 小 SPINE FOREARM HAND PELVIS -HIP LEG ANKLE 12 3 TIMELY MEDICAL ATTENTION SAVES LIVES THE GOLDEN HOUR For senior falls, this is the first hour after falling. (For other types of trauma it may be longer than an hour, but simply refer to the critical time period for full recovery.) 80% of fallen seniors over 90 could not get up from a fall unassisted 30% were on the floor for more than an hour 62% of fall victims who don't receive help within an hour won't be able to live independently after recovery *At this stage, seniors are primarily suffering from the direct results of their fall: sprains, fractures, concussions 2-3 HOURS Seniors are stuck in uncom- fortable positions and still unable to move on their own. Victims are unable to take their scheduled doses of vital pills and medication. & 15% of fallen seniors 60% of those fell again within the following year over 90 remained on the floor for this amount of time or longer HOSPITALIZATION IS ALMOST ALWAYS REQUIRED INJURIES ARE AGGRAVATED BY LENGTH OF TIME IMMOBILIZED FALL VICTIMS MAY BECOME HUNGRY OR THIRSTY 4-5 HOURS Hospitalization is certain. Other ailments may begin to affect the victim. While the senior will definitely need to be hospitalized temporarily, they may only require 1-2 weeks 1 WEEK 1 WEEK INCONTINENCE BECOMES SERIOUS ISSUE, IF HASN'T ALREADY 6-11 HOURS Extensive hospitalization will likely be necessary. 90% 1 WEEK 1 WEEK Typically must be hospitalized/ rehabilitated for over 2 weeks of those who aren't helped within 6 hours will have to live in a nursing home 12-17 HRS Length of potential hospital stay doubles during this time. Seniors who are on the floor overnight must typically be hospitalized/rehabilitated 1 WEEK 1 WEEK for 1 month NEW HEALTH THREATS EMERGE: 1 WEEK 1 WEEK Pressure sores Dehydration Hypothermia Pneumonia Carpet burns Possibility of death 18-23 HRS Hospital stay length increases. Likelihood of full recovery is miniscule. The threats of pressure sores, dehydration etc. continue to rise. Resulting problems are exacerbated. 24+ HOURS Severe consequences almost certain. HUNGER + DEHYDRATION MAY BECOME SEVERE PROBABILITY OF DEATH SHARPLY INCREASES THE LENGTH OF TIME SPENT ON THE FLOOR MAY OUTWEIGH INITIAL INJURIES AS PRIMARY CAUSE OF DEATH COSTS OF A FALL INJURY DIRECT INDIRECT Hospital/nursing home fees Doctor/specialist fees Rehabilitation Disability Dependence Work absence/loss Household maintenance Medical equipment purchase/rental Prescription drugs Home modifications Quality of life Insurance processing AVERAGE COST OF A FALL INJURY= $19,000+ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ANNUAL COSTS OF FALLS IN THE U.S. MAY REACH $54.9 BILLION 2020 MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEMS CAN SAVE LIVES! Medical alert systems can provide peace of mind to independent seniors and their loved ones. Only about 3% of seniors who activated medical alert system devices remained on the floor past The Golden Hour. When used in an assisted living or nursing home setting, many seniors won't even be on the floor for longer than 5 minutes! EMERGENCY + Bay Alarm Medical http://www.hughestelematics.com/pp/whitepapers/lifecommwp.php http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls.html http://www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a2227.full http://www.howtolearn.com/2011/03/technology-offers-new-protection-for-seniors http://www.euro.who.int/_data/assets/pdf_file/0018/74700/E82552. pdf American College of Surgeons (2008). Atls, Advanced Trauma Life Support Program for Doctors. American College of Surgeons. ISBN 1-880696-31-6 http://www.hughestelematics.com/pp/whitepapers/lifecommwp.php (V.(V. (V. (v. v. V. V. (v.v. V. V.