Fall and Injury Prevention

Injuries from falls are the leading cause of accidental death in the elderly. Nationally, the annual incidence of falls is 30% in persons > 65 years old. In nursing homes, 75% of patients will have a fall each year. Silverado recognizes the risk of falls and injuries and has put in place a pro-active, award-winning injury prevention program and fractures are rare. Fall prevention is achieved when intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors are managed. Intrinsic risk factors for falls and fractures, in addition to advanced age, are cognitive decline, polypharmacy, sensory decline, acute illnesses, and chronic diseases of the cardiac and central nervous systems as well as osteoporosis. Extrinsic factors in the environment include poor lighting, obstacles unsafe stairways, etc.