Falls Are the Leading Cause of Death Among Elderly People [Infographic]

By Derek Eastwood

Hussey Fraser

The life of a perfectly healthy older person can be ruined by a single fall. Older people will generally have a few more aches and pains than younger people but falls can still be avoided. As the infographic below outlines, elderly people fall at far greater rates but only around half of these are linked to intrinsic risk factors, such as attenuated vision or foot problems.

Simple things in a household can cause someone to fall. For example, it’s so easy to trip on any electrical cords that are strewn across the floor or loose rugs. Potential hazards are everywhere. Of course, elderly people find it more difficult to retain their balance if they stumble on something, which is why it’s so important to be vigilant around the house.

Derek Eastwood serves as the Business Development Manager for Hussey Fraser. The organization, based in Dublin, Ireland, offers technical and legal advice to people on a wide range of personal injuries.