Can Community And EMS Partnerships Prevent Falls From Becoming The Next Big Epidemic?

Falls are now the leading cause of injury and death among older adults (65+) in the U.S. They are the cause of just under 75 deaths per day. Emergency medical services (EMS), most often accessed through 911 calls or by calls to a local fire department, report that 17% of calls for help at home by people over 65 are related to falls. Moreover, 50% of what are known as “lift assist” calls result in a second call within two weeks.

These statistics have taken a sharp rise in the last 10 years as our population ages. And these calls are not limited to older adults who live alone. One 75-year-old man I know whose wife is in her mid 80s has had to call EMS twice in the last two years when his wife fell. She wasn’t hurt, but she is heavier than he can safely lift. This is not an uncommon scenario.