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Preventing Accidents to Older PeopleWhat Injuries Occur?The great majority of both fatal and non-fatal accidents involving older people are falls. Almost three-quarters of falls among the 65 and over age group result in arm, leg and shoulder injuries. Older people are also more likely to injure more than one part of their body, with 25% of falls causing injury to more than one part of the body, compared to an average 16% among all age groups. One in every five falls among women aged 55 and over results in a fracture or fractures requiring hospital treatment.1 In a 1996 survey: Other main injuries suffered were bruising or crushing, cuts, wounds resulting from piercing and straining or twisting a part of the body. Although most falls do not result in a serious injury, being unable to get up exposes the faller to the risk if hypothermia and pressure sores. 1 Prescott-Clarke, P. and Primatesta, P (eds) Health Survey for England, 1996. London: Stationery Office, 1998. (summary available at http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/sum95.htm)
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