Outdoor Falls Among Older Adults

Older adults (45+) fall more outdoors than indoors, Li et al. found, as reported in the July 2006 American Journal of Public Health. Environmental factors, such as uneven surfaces and tripping on something, caused most outdoor falls. Almost half of falls happened while walking. Adults who were more physically active had more outdoor falls while adults in poorer health fell more indoors. Li et al. conclude that as we promote active lifestyles among older people, we urgently need to make improvements in the outdoor environment.

Does this study ring true for your community? Do older adults walk in your community or do they exercise indoors? What is your program or community doing to make the outdoor environment healthier? What should be done?