Fear of falling as a risk factor: US survey and European statistics on injuries among older adults

Survey: underestimated risks

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center conducted a national survey of 1,007 adults in the United States and published the results along with a press release. As Euronews reports, 63% of respondents do not consider anxiety about a possible fall a risk factor, 60% do not view hearing loss as a risk, and 74% are unaware that a persistent urge to use the toilet can increase the likelihood of falling.

The paradox of fear of falling

The problem is illustrated by the story of Ben Melancon, a former athlete now in his seventies: after more than a dozen falls on the stairs, the last of which required nine stitches near his left eye, he became afraid to use them. Michelle Isley, a practicing nurse at the Wexner center's Fall Prevention Clinic, explains the paradox: fear makes people avoid activity, causing them to lose strength and mobility — and thereby increasing their risk. According to her, the number one risk factor is a previous fall, and knowing this would allow earlier intervention.

The scale of the problem in Europe

The problem is not limited to the United States. According to a fact sheet from the European Association for Injury Prevention, EuroSafe, cited by Euronews, about 35,848 people aged 65 and older die from falls each year in EU countries (data from 2010–2012). Falls are the leading cause of injury-related visits by older people to emergency departments (58% of such visits); nearly half of the visits end in fractures, and roughly every fifth one involves a head injury. The share of injuries requiring hospitalization rises with age: 32% among people aged 65–74, 39% among those 75–84, and 45% among those 85 and older.

What helps

Falls are rarely caused by a single factor: reduced muscle strength, impaired balance, vision or hearing, chronic diseases, and taking multiple medications at once all play a role. According to EuroSafe, 64% of fall injuries occur at home — most often in the living room or bedroom, followed by bathrooms and stairs. Studies cited in the fact sheet show that targeted prevention programs reduce injury rates by 20–40% among high-risk groups. After four months of sessions with a physical therapist several times a week, home exercises, and a change of footwear, Melancon has not fallen again. Isley recommends checking the lighting, removing or securing rugs, and discussing with a doctor or pharmacist any medications that can cause dizziness.