Accidental falls and injuries among seniors

This study analyzes data on accidental falls for those aged 65 and older. The data are based on mortality statistics from 1980 to 1989 and morbidity statistics from 1985 to 1989. These statistics are provided to the Canadian Centre for Health Information by the provincial governments. Mortality rates and hospital separation rates for accidental falls are highest for those aged 65 and older. Accidents are one of the leading causes of death and hospitalization among seniors. In 1989, for those aged 65 and older, accidental falls accounted for 56% of accidental deaths and 65% of accident-related hospital separations. Mortality and hospital separation rates for accidental falls increased with age. For those aged 65 and older, the mortality rates for accidental falls were higher for men than women. However, the accident-related hospital separation rate was higher for women than men. The reason for this difference is not fully understood, but it has been suggested that while more women fall than men, more men seriously injure themselves. For men requiring hospitalization due to accidental falls, the most common injuries, in descending order, were fractures of the hip, ribs, vertebral column, humerus, and pelvis. For women, the most common injuries were fractures of the hip, humerus, radius and ulna, pelvis, and ankle. Of fall-related injuries resulting in hospitalization, hip fractures were the leading cause of death and proportionately more men than women died of hip fractures.