Among different cost items, hospital
inpatient services cost is the greatest cost,
accounting for about 50% of total cost of
falls (19, 22, 23). The cost of hospital inpatient
services includes the emergency and
general holding ward cost, of those admitted
to either the general holding ward or to
hospital. The second highest is the longterm
care costs, contributing to 9.4% to 41%
of all health system costs (23, 25).
The average cost of hospitalization for fall related
injury for people 65 year and older range
from US$ 6646 in Ireland to US$ 17 483 in the
USA (22, 41). This cost are projected to increase
to US$ 240 billion by year 2040 (42).
Where the cost of a visit to an emergency
department varies widely across countries,
ranging from US$ 236 in the USA (based
on data collected in 1998) (22) to US$ 2472
in Western Australia (based on data collected
in 2001-2002) (23).
b) Indirect costs
In addition to the substantial direct costs
outlined above, falls incur indirect costs that
are critical to family e.g. the loss of productivity
of family caregivers. The average lost
earnings could approximate US$ 40 000 per
annum in the United Kingdom (25). Even
when family caregivers are more morally
and culturally accepted, falls remain a significant
burden to household economy.