Most of the fatal falls in the home can be avoided with fall prevention and protection products

Dec 3 2009

Healthcare costs are rapidly increasing due to the rapid aging of our population. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that over 60% of fatal falls occur in the home. Additionally, the total cost of falls in 2010 is expected to be between 68 and 100 Billion Dollars. More than 25,000 older adults died due to falls last year. Katharine Graham, former Washington Post Chairman, died as a result of a fall. Most of this cost and loss of life is completely preventable through new fall prevention, fall protection products and safer falls education. Many of these medically significant events include hip fracture, head injury, fear of falling again, broken vertebrae and broken wrist.

Over 44 million baby boomers live at home with an elderly, sick parent according to The Caring Alliance. Another 25 million at-risk elderly live alone and unprotected from devastating falls. The current economic conditions have exacerbated these numbers. Since life expectancy has continued to increase, this situation is likely to become even more prevalent. The faller may need to move in with adult children and adult children often have to take time off work to care for at-risk parents. The costs, emotionally and physically, to the person who falls and their families is enormous.

Much of this information is virtually unknown to the general public. Annually, there are approximately 370,000 hip fractures. Head injuries from falls at home are another significant medical cost. Falls are the major cause of 40% of nursing home admissions and subsequent costs to families. Per year, of those admitted to a hospital only about 50% will survive a serious fall. Falls are the leading cause of accidental death and more than 33% of adults 65 and older fall each year. Reductions in healthcare costs are a current concern of all in the government and the effect of falls are a major cost factor.

There is a web site, MedicalNurseTraining.com, that is the premier portal for training nurses and doctors utilizing a nationally known Geriatric Doctor, the Assistant Director of Nursing at Johns Hopkins and Patrick Devaney, President of Medical Nurse Training Inc., who has over 25 years experience lecturing on these topics to tens of thousands of nurses, doctors and healthcare facilities. Anyone who is above the age of 55 or has a relative, who is at risk for falls, is confused or agitated, has Alzheimer's, or presents departure/elopement risk at home will be very interested in this new material. This information will be invaluable to seniors and their families. To see fall prevention training and fall protection devices for home, concerned individuals and families may go directly to http://www.SaferFalls.com for senior fall prevention.

Mr. Devaney's mother died as the result of an unnecessary hip fracture. This loss could have easily been prevented with one of these new devices or education techniques. Numerous lives have already been saved with these clinically proven devices. Many nurses and doctors have commonly requested these new technologies and education be available to the general public. This company has partnered with the leading manufacturers of low cost fall prevention technologies to provide these fall products predominately available only through hospitals and nursing homes to the general public at institutional prices. Some of these devices include Hip Protectors, Fall and Exit Alarms, high impact Fall and Floor Cushions, Fall and Lift Furniture, Bed Safety Guards, Personal Pagers, high impact Bath Mats, Fall Management Socks and Shower Slippers.