The Costs Of A Fall

According to the Center for Disease Control in 2000, falls among older adults cost the U.S. health care system over $19 billion dollars.  With the population aging, both the number of falls and the costs associated with falls are likely to increase.

One out of every three people age 65 and older has a fall each year.  Older adults are hospitalized five times more often for fall-related injuries than they are for injuries from other causes.  Of those who fall, 20-30% suffers from moderate to severe injuries that lead to loss of independence and increase the risk of premature death. 

Medicare costs per fall (expenses which include charges paid by insurance companies, hospital and nursing home care costs, physician and other professional services fees, rehabilitation, community-based services, the use of medical equipment, prescription drugs, home modification and insurance administration) was between $9,113 and $13,507 in 2002.    By 2020, the cost of fall injuries is expected to reach $54.9 billion. 

According to the CDC:

• In 2000, the direct medical cost of fatal fall injuries totaled $179 million. About 78% of fall deaths, and 79% of total costs, were due to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and injuries to the lower extremities.  
• Injuries to internal organs were responsible for 28% of fall deaths and accounted for 29% of costs.
• Fractures were both the most common and most costly nonfatal injuries. Just over one-third of nonfatal injuries were fractures, but these accounted for 61% of total nonfatal costs—or $12 billion.
• Hospitalizations accounted for nearly two-thirds of the costs of nonfatal fall injuries and emergency department treatment accounted for 20%. 
• On average, the hospitalization cost for a fall injury is $17,500.10
• Hip fractures are the most frequent type of fall-related fracture. The average hospitalization cost was $18,000; this was 44% of the direct medical costs for hip fractures.

To read Factors Contributing To A Fall Plus Ways To Help Prevent A Fall click here.

To read Products To Consider To Prevent A Fall click here.