From a survey in six general practices information was
obtained on 125 people aged 65 and over who fell in their
own homes. Three fractured their femurs and 15 had
other fractures; most of the rest suffered only trivial
injuries. Twenty lay on the floor for more than one
hour; none were known to have suffered hypothermia.
One-quarter of these patients died within one year of
the fall, five times as many as in an age- and sex-matched
control group; while of those who lay on the floor for
more than one hour, half died within six months of the
fall. Factors associated with mortality from falls were
impaired mobility, abnormal balance, and a disturbed
pattern of gait.
Falls at home in old age are often indicative of the
presence of severe ill health.