Seniors’ Falls

Key Points

  • Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among seniors. 1 in 3 Alberta seniors experiences a fall each year.
  • Most falls are the result of multiple risk factors: biological, behavioral, social and environmental.
  • A combination of simple actions are most effective in reducing the risk of a fall.
  • Take action to: challenge your balance and build strength, be active and move daily, remove or fix falls hazards in your home, eat well, maintain good eye health, medication reviews, take care of feet and wear proper footwear.

Why Seniors’ Falls Matter.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital admissions among seniors. Falls can result in broken bones, hospital stays, and a loss of independence. After a fall, many people become afraid of falling again, which can lead to reduced activity and increased risk of future falls.​

Approximately 10,220 seniors were hospitalized due to falls in 2023, and the average hospital stay cost for a senior fall cost $21,748.1

For more information and resources, visit: Finding Balance.

95% of all hip fractures in seniors are caused by falls.

Alberta Seniors Falls: By the Numbers

$290 MILLION

ANNUAL HOSPITAL COSTS FOR SENIORS' FALLS

10,000+

SENIORS' FALLS HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS PER YEAR

3 WEEKS

AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY FOR A FALL

Preventing Seniors’ Falls.

As we age, we naturally begin to lose muscle strength, our bones become more brittle, and balance may decline due to changes in our senses and other health factors. Research shows strong muscles, good balance and healthy habits significantly lower the risk of falling.

1. Be Active to Maintain Functional Mobility

  1. Follow the Canada Adults 65+ physical activity guidelines and do 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity at least 5 times per week for a total of 150 minutes.
  2. Participate in a specific falls prevention program like "NOT Falling for You" that offers static and dynamic balance exercises, strength training, and education to decrease your risk of falling.
  3. Challenge your balance twice per week for 60 minutes by following the Finding Balance Actively Aging resource booklet balance exercises to help you maintain your functional mobility and independence.

2. Review Medications

  1. Have your medications, including over-the-counter drugs, reviewed annually by a healthcare professional.

3. Check Your Vision

  1. Schedule regular eye exams to ensure your vision is optimal.

4. Make Your Home Safer

  1. Take the Finding Balance Spot the Hazard Home Safety Checklist to learn how you can reduce your risk of falling in your home.

5. Footwear & Foot Care

  1. Footwear can affect our posture, stability, balance and gait, which can influence our risk of falling.
  2. Foot-related problems such as pain, limited range of motion, etc can also increase our risk of falling.
  3. Talk to your healthcare provider about any foot-related problems, take care of your feet and wear supportive footwear inside and outside of the home.

6. Healthy Eating

Good nutrition is an important part of maintaining health and independence. It helps to:

  1. Give you energy.
  2. Keep your muscles and bones strong.
  3. Prevent or lower your risk of disease like Type-2 diabetes and heart disease.

Resources.

IPC Resources:

External Resources:

Get social.

Use these hashtags on social media to discuss this issue.

#SeniorsFalls #FallPrevention #FindingBalance

Updated 21 July, 2025.

References

1 https://findingbalancealberta.ca

2 Alberta Health, Analytics and Performance Reporting Branch. Received  February, 2023.

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The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are primarily located on the territory of the Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway / Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.

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