The older you get, the more prone you are to injury when you fall. As your bones and ligaments grow more brittle and fragile, even the smallest impact from a relatively low height can do a number on you.
Unfortunately, the injuries resulting from a fall are not always immediately apparent. Thus, it is important to understand fall risks to better combat them.
Risk of broken bones
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention present the facts about fall risks for seniors. First of all, over 3 million seniors end up visiting a hospital after a fall incident. This is a staggering number that reflects how serious a fall is for seniors compared to younger people.
Broken bones are one of the most obvious risks. The wrists, arms and ankles are particularly susceptible to injury and breaking during these falls, though you can also suffer from damage to the knees and legs. Injuries can take a long time to heal and may increase your risk of another, more serious fall. However, it is equally important to not reduce fitness levels, as this can lead to other health problems.
Brain trauma
Traumatic brain injuries are another potential problem, which may occur if you hit the back of your head in a fall. TBIs may sometimes require lengthy hospital stays and extensive periods of recovery. Sometimes, however, they are so mild that you may not notice the signs at first.
Hip fractures
Hip fractures are the biggest potential risk, though. This is a huge problem for your overall mobility and freedom. Many seniors end up losing some of their ability to live without assistance after a hip fracture, making it one of the most problematic injuries possible.