The stats on death from falls are startling – especially for the 65+. Death rates are rising, projected to be 7 up to deaths per hour for the 65+ by 2030. And that falls are the leading cause of injury death among the 65+. Did you know that the majority of hip fractures are from falling, usually sideways? Did you know that medical costs from falls was $50 billion in were projected to be $52 billion in 2020? And that the costs (estimated at $754 million in 2015) were mostly paid by Medicare and Medicaid (the latter likely in nursing homes.) So many factors contribute to the risk of falling, including lower body weakness, balance issues, medications, and home hazards.
The Census knows the growth and potential explosion of care needs and older adults. Consider their newly published document explaining the industries to those who may still not see what’s happening. "Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly saw a 34.4% increase in revenue from 2013 to 2020. Home Health Care Services experienced an even larger increase – 50.5% -- during the same period." These assertions are built on the Service Annual Survey (2021). The U.S. Census Bureau projects that in 2050, the U.S. population ages 65 and over will be 83.9 million, nearly double what it was (43.1 million) in 2012.
The Census knows the growth and potential explosion of care needs and older adults. Consider 