PREVENTING FALLS FOR SENIORS

It is estimated that 25 percent of senior adults 65 years of age and older will experience a fall this year. Falls are the leading cause of injury for elderly adults in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• About 20 percent of falls cause a severe injury;
• Roughly 2.8 million seniors go to emergency rooms for falls each year;
• Hip fractures result in about 300,000 hospitalizations annually;
• Falls are the most common cause of TBIs (traumatic brain injuries);
• A fall doubles the chance for another fall; and,
• Falls cause over 95 percent of the hip fractures.

When a senior falls, the consequences can be catastrophic in terms of the physical and mental health of the person.  In addition, falls result in over $31 billion each year in medical costs. Therefore, it is very important to take steps to try to reduce the risk of falling for your loved ones and friends.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Falls

Ways that you can reduce the risk of falling for an older adult include:

• Review all medications to determine if any medications can increase the risk of falling. Many medications have side effects that increase the risk of falling, including drowsiness and dizziness. While you may not be able to stop taking these medications, when you know the side effects of certain medications, you can take other precautions to prevent falls.
• Fall-proof the home to reduce the risk of falls. Ways to fall-proof a home include securing rugs, removing tripping obstacles, installing grab bars in the bathrooms, increasing lighting, and using non-skid floor cleansers.
• Purchase non-skid shoes for elderly individuals to wear. Avoid wearing socks that can increase the risk of slipping on floors.
• Encourage routine exercise. Exercise can help with balance, coordination, and flexibility. A loss in any of these abilities can increase the risk of falling for elderly individuals.
• Schedule routine eye examinations. A decrease in visual acuteness can increase the risk for falls. Talk to the eye doctor about ways to improve vision to reduce the risk of

For more information, you can visit the website for the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

What Happens When a Senior Falls on Another Person’s Property?

If the fall occurs on another person’s property or commercial property, the cause of the fall may not be your loved one’s fault. When a senior falls, it is easy to assume that it is because of the senior’s age or health conditions. However, a senior can fall because of a dangerous condition or hazard on the property. In some cases, the property owner may be liable for your loved one’s damages.

If your loved one has been injured in a fall, it is important to contact a Sacramento premises liability attorney to discuss a slip and fall claim. The property owner and the insurance provider may try to deny your claim based on your loved one’s age. Our attorneys fight for fair and just compensation based on the facts of the case, not the age of the victim.

Contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or visit our website to learn more about slip and fall claims and how our attorneys can help you and your loved one seek justice. We offer free case evaluations and free legal consultations for slip and fall victims and their families.

Our law firm serves clients in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.