The Public Health Agency of Canada just released the Surveillance Report on Falls Among Older Adults in Canada, with updated data from the 2014 Seniors’ Falls in Canada Second Report. The report provides evidence on falls among older adults at the national level. Specifically, it is intended to update knowledge of the nature, severity, and burden of falls among older adults in Canada aged 65 and over, and provide a picture of changes over time.
Some key findings from this report include:
- From 2001 to 2019, the mortality rate due to falls increased among older adults.
- From 2008/2009 to 2019/2020, the number of fall-related hospitalizations of older adults increased 47% even though the rate was relatively stable due to aging of the Canadian population.
- From 2010/2011 to 2019/2020, the rate of fall-related emergency department visits increased among older adults.
- Each year around 350,000 individuals (5.8%) living in a household residence aged 65 or older reported having a fall causing limitation of normal activities in the past 12 months.
The prevalence of self-reported fall-related injuries was higher among women than men; and those aged 80 years and over were more likely to experience a fall-related injury than the 65-79 years of age (CCHS 2017-2018).
Learn more by reading the full report: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/surveillance-report-falls-older-adults-canada.html