MW More older adults are dying from falls. Here's how to reduce the risk.

By Jessica Hall

Death rates from falls jumped more than 70% for older adults in the last 20 years

Death rates from falls among older adults have surged in the last 20 years, as the American population ages and more seniors prefer to live independently in their homes.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that death rates from falls rose more than 70% for adults ages 65 to 84 over the last 20 years. The greatest increases in death rates from 2003 to 2023 were among adults age 85 and older, with rates doubling for men and increasing two-and-a-half-times for women.

"There's a high cost financially, physically and mentally to falling. The fear of falling also plays a role because you may limit your activity," Emily Nabors, associate director at National Council on Aging's Innovation Center for Healthy Aging. "It's a serious public-health issue. It's the most common cause of injury and injury-related deaths among older adults, and for most people it's not even on their radar."

Every year, more than 25% of adults age 65 and older fall - and falling once doubles a person's chances of falling again, according to the CDC. In 2023, more than 40,000 older adults died from falls, CDC data showed.

"There are more falls because more people are living longer and aging in the community rather than institutional settings," Nabors said. "We're living longer in the community and leading more active lives. People think it's the frail older adult falling, but active older adults fall as well - it just might look different."

Falls take a hefty financial toll. The cost of treating injuries caused by falls among older adults is projected to increase to over $101 billion by 2030, up from $35 billion in 2012, according to the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

Among older adults who fall, more than half receive care in a hospital - with the estimated annual average cost per inpatient visit for falls injuries totalling $18,658, and $1,112 for emergency-department visits, according to a 2024 report in Injury.

There's also a physical and emotional cost to falling.

"When people have their first fall, they don't want to tell anyone about it for fear of a loss of independence," said Eric Einhart, a partner at Russo Law Group and president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. "It's important to talk about and change the stigma of it - having the conversation that this is not a moral failure."

Simple practices like getting rid of throw rugs, ottomans and clutter; having eyesight and hearing checked regularly; and installing brighter lighting and night lights in the home, as well as banisters on both sides of a stairway, and grab bars and shower chairs in bathrooms, can all help prevent falls, experts said. Lifts that help older adults get out of bed or use the toilet can also be helpful. Beware of pets underfoot and electrical cords along the ground, too.

"These small, little changes make a big difference," Einhart said. "No one wants to go to a nursing home. It's important to take precautions to avoid risk. Falls come out of nowhere and rock their world."

Specialists such as aging-life-care managers, formerly known as geriatric-care managers, can come to your home and make suggestions on modifications and help determine the best safety features that may be needed.

"Things that were not hazards before may become hazards later in life. You may need to remove things from the house or add supports," Nabors said.

Health issues can contribute to falls

The annual check-up for a Medicare beneficiary also should include a fall-risk assessment by your doctor, Nabors noted. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis can contribute to falls.

"If you have fallen, tell your doctor about it. You're two times more likely to fall again if you've fallen once," she said. "Even if it was a near-fall where you caught yourself, tell your doctor and identify what your fall risks are. If you're concerned about falling, talk about it with them."

Older adults can make efforts to prevent falls by exercising and working on strength and balance, either on their own or with a physical therapist.

"Strength and balance are the key things to preventing falls," said Amy Goyer, AARP's family and caregiving expert. "Staying physically strong, with strong core strength, is crucial."

Goyer said simple exercises such as standing up and sitting down in a chair without using your hands can help strengthen your core muscles and prevent falls. Any exercise that works on balance, such as yoga or tai chi, can also help protect against falls. Water-based exercise classes can also provide a good workout without wear and tear on the joints. Working out with a buddy or a trainer can help keep you accountable to exercising regularly, she added.

"Get yourself as physically strong as possible. As you get older, you may not realize you may not be as strong as you once were," Goyer said.

Many senior centers and YMCAs have physical trainers educated in working with older adults on strength and balance. If more rigorous training is needed, talk to your doctor about getting physical therapy, especially after a long illness that may have left you in a weakened state, Goyer said. Online classes can help you exercise at home, on your own schedule, if mobility or time is a problem.

Fall detection

There's fall-detection technology, ranging from Apple Watches $(AAPL)$ to medical alert systems, that can call for medical help if needed. But technology can play a role not just in fall detection, but in prevention as well, Nabors said.

Technology that helps with medication management can help reduce dizziness from improper medication and help with fall reduction. Other technology that can track health factors like balance and mobility can also play a key role for older adults, Nabors added.

For example, Sensi.AI is a monitoring system that can detect 100 different changes in the health condition of a client - from changes in gait, to mental decline, to urinary-tract infections. The system can call emergency responders, a caregiver or a home-care agency as needed.

"The goal is for people to live as long as possible, as independently as possible, as safely as possible and affordably as possible," said Romi Gubes, co-founder and chief executive of Sensi.

In case you do have a fall that requires major medical care, do some preparation in case the worst scenario happens and have legal documents in place if you're incapacitated, Einhart said. Make sure you have a living will that names a healthcare proxy with a HIPAA authorization, in the event you can't make medicare decisions for yourself.

There have been national efforts to prevent falls, such as the Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act, introduced in September 2024 by U.S. senators Angus King and Mike Rounds.

The measure aimed to create a national falls-prevention advisory committee made up of representatives from federal and state government agencies, healthcare providers, researchers, caregivers, housing-assistance experts, disability-service providers and others.

The proposed act also aimed to create a pilot program to test Medicare coverage or reimbursement of home-safety modifications, which the program doesn't currently offer. For example, the pilot may assess whether reimbursing for grab bars or staircase handrails decreases the number of household falls. The proposal, which was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, has not yet been passed.

"Many falls can be prevented. The key issue is being aware of your own individual risks and needs," Nabors said.

-Jessica Hall

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July 11, 2025 09:45 ET (13:45 GMT)

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