Falling seniors: A preventable problem, a ‘huge health burden’ - The Globe and Mail

CARLY WEEKS

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Published Sunday, May. 29, 2011 11:00PM EDT

Last updated Monday, May. 30, 2011 7:54AM EDT

Fractured hips, pneumonia and significantly reduced mobility are among the most deadly health risks faced by seniors.

But for many, these threats are not an inevitable part of aging. They are caused by falls, an entirely preventable problem that leads to a vast array of serious injuries and the onset of debilitating illnesses that rob seniors of their independence, mobility, and in many cases, their lives.