2006 State Report > Our Health > Falls
Our Health: Falls
Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among mature adults. Changes in vision, strength, and coordination associated with aging can increase the risk of falls. Among people age 65 and over who fall, 20% to 30% experience injuries such as hip fractures and head traumas that can reduce mobility and independence. According to the CDC, there were 13,820 deaths and 1,851,602 injuries caused by falls nationwide for the population 65 and older in 2003.
In South Carolina in 2004 there were 21,850 emergency room visits and inpatient admissions due to falls among people 65 and older.
Total Number of Falls for Adults Over Age 65 Visiting a S.C. Emergency Room or Admitted as an Inpatient Due to a Fall: 2000-2004
Source: South Carolina Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics. SC UB92 Inpatient and Outpatient Billing Data.
Hospital visits due to falls tend to increase with age. In 2004 in South Carolina, there were 6,085 fall-related emergency room visits or inpatient hospital stays for the population aged 85 and over.
Number of Mature Adults Visiting a S.C. Emergency Room or Admitted as an Inpatient Due to a Fall, By Age Range: 2004
Source: South Carolina Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics. SC UB92 Inpatient and Outpatient Billing Data.
Seniors can help reduce their risk of falling by increasing their lower body strength and balance through regular physical activity, and by asking their doctors to review their medications to reduce side effects and interactions. Environmental factors in the home such as tripping hazards, lack of stair railings, slippery surfaces and poor lighting can also cause falls. Since an estimated one-half to two-thirds of all falls occur at home, creating a safer living area can reduce the risk of suffering a fall.
In 2004, the total cost for emergency room visits and inpatient admissions due to falls for people 65 and older in South Carolina was $174,969,254. The majority of these costs (96.3 percent) were paid by Medicare, with Medicaid paying for .4 percent and private insurance paying for 2.6 percent. The remaining .7 percent of costs were either paid out-of-pocket or were charged to indigent patients.
Total Charges for Adults Discharged from a S.C. Emergency Department or Admitted as an Inpatient Due to Fall, by Age: 2004
Source: South Carolina Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics. SC UB92 Inpatient and Outpatient Billing Data.