According to experts, falls are the leading cause of death from an injury for older Americans. For women, it’s even worse. In fact, three quarters of those with hip fractures are women. For some, the broken hip starts a chain reaction since many older people also tend to suffer from other underlying conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, hypertension or dementia. After a fall, when one is bedridden or hospitalized, chances of developing everything from bed scores to pneumonia also significantly increases. Additionally, studies have shown that delaying surgery after a fracture for just 24 hours increases the chances of complications and even death. Approximately 1 out of 10 people over the age of 50 will die within a month of surgery for a broken hip; this figure increases to 1 in 5 if the patient already has an acute medical problem. However, researchers say falls can be prevented. Tips include removing rugs, installing better lighting, getting an updated prescription for glasses, improving balance, and exercising.
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