Santa Barbara, California, December 13, 2007:
Recent studies highlight the danger of falling: falls are an enormous threat to the health and well-being of older adults. The loss of independence that follows a serious fall may lead to hospitalization or even institutionalization, contributing to escalating health care costs and an even higher human cost.
Yet studies also show that many falls can be prevented by a number of means, including the use of power wheelchairs.
Miracle on Wheels, a program of Jaspan Medical Systems, offers to provide power wheelchairs, to those who qualify, at little or no charge.
Various health studies have estimated that one in three adults age 65 and older fall each year. While most falls result in minimal injury, more than 20 to 30 percent of adults age 65 and older suffer serious injury from falls, particularly hip fractures and head injury. Of those hospitalized for a hip fracture 40% never return home or live independently again, and 25% will die within one year.
Falls are the second leading cause of injury death for people ages 55-79, but become even more prevalent for individuals over the age of 80. With those aged 65 and older combined, falls account for 50 percent of all injury deaths.
Wheel chair
Falls are incredibly expensive also. A study of persons aged 72 and older found the average health-care cost of a fall was $19,440. This includes hospital, nursing home, emergency room, and home healthcare but not physicians' fees. The cost of hip fracture care averages $33,000 per patient. Nursing home care averages $50,000/year but can run as high as $100,000/year (Centers for Disease Control). But falls can be prevented. Making environmental modifications, improving medication management, and increasing physical activity can help prevent falls.
However, for those who cannot increase their physical activity, or who cannot use a cane, walker or manual wheelchair due to their medical conditions--the most common being stroke, osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, amputation, and COPD--the best option is an electric, or power wheelchair. Patients who have access to power mobility devices, such as a power wheelchair, are nearly five times less likely to fall. The savings in both mental and physical well-being for the patient can be enormous.
For more information about the Miracle on Wheels program, visit http://www.jaspanmedical.com
