In 2014, older Americans fell 29 million times, leading to 7 million injuries, according to a report published last week. About 2.8 million cases were treated in emergency department, and approximately 800,000 seniors went on to be hospitalized. More than 27,000 falls led to death. And the problem is getting more and more serious.

“Older adult falls are increasing and, sadly, often indicate the end of independence,” said Dr. Tom Frieden. The falls are preventable, Frieden stressed. He said individuals, families and health care providers can take steps to resist the trend.

Dr. Wolf-Klein is a medical professor in New York. She said one concern is that seniors who have experienced a fall alone at home don’t tell anyone. When that happens, prevention efforts don’t begin and they’re at risk for additional falls that lead to broken bones and brain injuries.

“Elderly patients tend not to report falls to their families, or even doctors. A fall is a very frightening thing that you keep quiet about. They think if they mention it, they are afraid that they will move to a nursing home or need assistants to help out in the house,” said Wolf-Klein.

It’s also a status issue and may make someone feel that they’re weaker than they really are, she explained. When someone does fall and hurt themselves, they’re often never the same, Wolf-Klein said. “You can develop chronic(慢性的) problems. After a fall, a percentage of the population will never return to walking around. People used to taking the subway, now they’re in a wheelchair, or they may need help going to the bathroom. They become frailer and lose independence,” she said.

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