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Did you Know?

Falls in Nursing Homes

How big is the problem?

• In 2003, 1.5 million people 65 and older lived in nursing homes (National Center for Health Statistics 2005). If current rates continue, by 2030 this number will rise to about 3 million (Sahyoun et al. 2002).
• Each year, a typical nursing home with 100 beds reports 100 to 200 falls. Many falls go unreported (Rubenstein 1997).
• As many as 3 out of 4 people in nursing homes fall each year (Rubenstein et al. 1994). That's twice the rate of falls for older adults living in the community.
• Patients often fall more than once. The average is 2.6 falls per person per year (Rubenstein et al. 1990).
• About 35% of fall injuries occur among residents who cannot walk (Thapa et al. 1996).
• About 5% of adults 65 and older live in nursing homes. But people in nursing homes account for about 20% of deaths from falls in this age group (Rubenstein 1997).

How serious are these falls?

• About 1,800 people living in U.S. nursing homes die each year from falls (Rubenstein et al. 1988).
• About 10% to 20% of nursing home falls cause serious injuries; 2% to 6% cause fractures (Rubenstein et al. 1988).
• Falls can make it hard for a person to get around, cause disability, and reduce quality of life. Fear of falling can cause further loss of function, depression, feelings of helplessness, and social isolation (Rubenstein et al. 1994).

Why do falls occur more often in nursing homes?

Falling can be a sign of other health problems. People in nursing homes are generally more frail than older adults living in the community. They tend to be older, have more chronic illnesses, and have difficulty walking. They also tend to have problems with thinking or memory, to have difficulty with activities of daily living, and to need help getting around or taking care of themselves (Bedsine et al. 1996). All of these factors are linked to falling (Ejaz et al. 1994).

Source: US CDC