While it’s true that the risk of falling tends to rise as individuals grow older, senior falls should not be seen as an inevitable outcome of getting older.

Senior falls have emerged as a significant concern with far-reaching consequences. Beyond the immediate physical and emotional toll, falls among older adults also carry significant financial implications for individuals, families, healthcare systems, and more. In today’s senior living communities, falls pose significant risks beyond physical harm, including legal and financial implications. Falls can lead to lawsuits alleging negligence, resulting in substantial legal fees, compensation, and reputational damage.

However, it’s essential to remember that there are solutions and technologies available to help prevent falls, such as fall detection wearable devices like Rythmos®, designed to improve the quality of life of seniors and ease of care.

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The Importance of Fall Prevention for Senior Falls

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Council on Aging  (NCOA), fall prevention is a major concern in the senior community. Check out these eye-opening statistics:

  • Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults.

  • Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall-related injury.

  • Every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall-related injury.

  • Falls account for more than 95% of hip fractures among older adults, and 20% of falls result in serious injuries such as head trauma or fractures.

Factors Contributing to Senior Falls

Several factors contribute to the increased risk of falls among seniors:

Physical Changes

As individuals age, they experience declines in muscle strength, balance, and flexibility, making them more susceptible to falls.

Chronic Health Conditions

Conditions like arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and sensory impairments can increase the risk of falls among seniors.

Medications

Certain medications, especially those that affect blood pressure or cause dizziness or drowsiness, can contribute to falls.

Environmental Hazards

Cluttered living spaces, poor lighting, uneven flooring, slippery surfaces, and lack of handrails or grab bars can create hazards that increase the risk of falls.

The Cost of Senior Falls: Beyond the Physical Toll

The financial toll of falls among seniors can be staggering. Annually, approximately $754 million is expended on fatal falls, as reported by the CDC. Additionally, when significant injuries occur due to serious falls, medical costs alone amount to a whopping $50 billion each year. Medicare covers $29 billion of this amount, while $12 billion is attributed to private insurance or out-of-pocket payments, and Medicaid contributes $9 billion.

According to McKnight’s Senior Living,

“Across assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities, the annual direct cost of all falls was $380,000 per location. For providers with 20 or more locations, the average cost was $712,000, and for providers with 19 or fewer facilities, the cost was $158,000 per location.”

The impact of falls extends beyond immediate medical expenses and includes:

Falls often result in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation services, and medications, leading to substantial healthcare expenditures.

Falls not only impact seniors but also their caregivers and family members, resulting in lost wages, reduced productivity, and increased stress.

Other health problems can arise as a result of injuries requiring ongoing medical attention. For instance, decreased ability to exercise due to injury may lead to a worsening of muscle mass loss, thereby increasing the risk of falls.

Experiencing a fall can diminish one's confidence, resulting in heightened apprehension and a greater likelihood of subsequent falls. This loss of confidence may lead individuals to second-guess their movements, further exacerbating the risk of falls. A Rythmos® wearable could help restore confidence by providing reassurance that assistance is readily available at the touch of a button.

Injuries such as fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or soft tissue damage can impede the performance of everyday tasks, affecting personal hygiene routines, for instance. For instance, a fractured shoulder may limit arm and hand mobility, posing challenges during bathing. This loss of independence can be both emotionally taxing and financially burdensome as individuals struggle to maintain their daily routines.

The aftermath of a fall can trigger various psychological challenges. Anxiety is common due to the fear of falling again, while depression may arise from a loss of independence. Cognitive decline, concentration difficulties, emotional instability, and coping with pain can further exacerbate these issues. Guilt, whether for needing more assistance or for the fall itself, adds another layer of emotional strain. Seeking counseling may be necessary to navigate through these challenges and regain a sense of well-being.

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Investing in Fall Prevention with Rythmos®

By offering a comprehensive suite of features tailored to address the unique needs of senior living communities, Rythmos® represents a paradigm shift in fall prevention and senior care management. Through real-time monitoring, advanced machine-learning fall detection, and personalized support, Rythmos® fall detection wearable devices empower seniors to maintain their independence while providing caregivers and families with peace of mind.

As we navigate the complex landscape of senior falls, Rythmos® stands as a testament to the power of innovation in safeguarding the health, safety, and dignity of our aging population.

Integrated Customized Fall Detection

Rythmos® brings next-generation fall detection to reduce false alarms while increasing the accuracy of detecting real falls. Utilizing advanced tools including machine learning and AI to continuously improve the fall detection algorithm in real-time for each individual resident ensuring the highest degree of fall detection accuracy.

The Rythmos® suite not only enhances senior care staff response times but also offers reassurance to family members. With its advanced features, including fall detection, real-time location tracking, and data-driven insights on activity levels and behavioral changes, our wearables serve as a proactive tool to identify potential issues and the need for an elevated level of care.

Rythmos® wearables include the following:

  • Real-time location information both inside and outside of the senior community within 1-3 meter accuracy

  • Protection for seniors at risk of eloping with immediate notifications

  • Automatic, machine learning (ML) based fall detection

  • Ability to unlock apartment from 1-3 feet away

  • Socialization information to see resident engagement levels

  • Duress button/eCall for emergency response

  • Long-lasting batteries

  • Customized wear styles

  • Ability to unlock apartment from 1-3 feet away

  • Waterproof devices

Have Questions? Let’s Talk!

If you’re interested in buying the most advanced wearable with fall detection for seniors or want to learn more about our Rythmos® wearables and senior community solutions, please contact us.

Our team at Intrex is dedicated to improving care for your loved ones and assisting seniors and caregivers with efficient, scalable, and affordable tech solutions. Let us know how we can help!