Falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors. One in three BC seniors over the age of 65 will typically experience at least one fall each year.

• Seniors comprise only 15% of the Canadian population, but account for 40% of all injury hospitalizations.
• It is estimated that over 200,000 BC seniors experienced a fall in 2008 and, with aging of the BC population; the number of falls will likely double in 20 years if prevention strategies are not in place.
• Falls cause more than 95% of all hip fractures in the elderly and over 20% of seniors who suffer a hip fracture die within a year. Injuries from falls account for 85% of all injuries to seniors.

Costs

• The annual average hospital cost for all senior hip fracture hospitalization cases in B.C. is over $75 million.

Reference

• The Evolution of Seniors’ Falls Prevention in British Columbia
• Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport