The leading cause of injury in the elderly is falling. An elderly person dies from a fall almost every 30 minutes. The outcome of a fall is so drastic, because the aging process causes bones to shrink and muscles to lose their strength and flexibility, making them more susceptible to losing their balance, bruising and breaking a bone. Falls are not unavoidable.
Many falls can be prevented by making some modifications around the home; improve lighting around and outside of the house, place grab bars in the shower, remove or minimize the rugs around the house, using proper assistance devices (cane, walker, wheelchair). Increasing the physical activity in the elderly, can improve muscle strength and bone density and boost their general health.