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Research supports the common sense notion that getting prompt help makes surviving an emergency more
likely. The ability to get help also boosts the odds that a senior will continue to live independently. The longer a person
spends helpless, the greater the likelihood he/she will be discharged into supportive care. For elderly people who live
alone, becoming incapacitated and unable to get help is a common event, which usually marks the end to their ability
to live independently. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Facts on Senior Citizens:
Facts on 911 Calls:
Facts on Causes of Death:
Strokes:
Facts on Fire- Who Is Most at Risk:
Facts on Falling:
Facts on Heart Attacks:
likely. The ability to get help also boosts the odds that a senior will continue to live independently. The longer a person
spends helpless, the greater the likelihood he/she will be discharged into supportive care. For elderly people who live
alone, becoming incapacitated and unable to get help is a common event, which usually marks the end to their ability
to live independently. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Facts on Senior Citizens:
- As the oldest baby boomers become senior citizens in 2011, the percentage of people 65 and older is
projected to grow faster than any other age group. In fact, 26 states are projected to double their 65+ and-older
populations between 2000 and 2030.
Facts on 911 Calls:
- Over 150 Million emergency calls are made each year in the US.
Facts on Causes of Death:
- Nearly 75% of all deaths in the United States are deaths of elderly people. For many decades, heart disease,
cancer, and stroke have been the leading causes of death among the elderly, accounting for 70% of all deaths
in this age group.
Strokes:
- Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the No. 1 cause of adult disability. Many strokes are
preventable and treatable with prompt medical attention. (National Stroke Association)
Facts on Fire- Who Is Most at Risk:
- Senior citizens age 70 and over have the greatest risk of fire death. The fire death risk among seniors is more
than double the average population.
Facts on Falling:
- Of the 35 million Americans over 65, about 1 in 3 will fall in a given year. (Center for Disease Control, “CDC”)
- Seniors are hospitalized for fall-related injuries 5 times more often than they are for injuries from all other
causes. Falls are the leading cause of accidental death for seniors. (Center for Disease Control, “CDC”) - 50% of people who fall require assistance from someone else to get up.
- After a fall or other emergency, 90% of people who get help right away will continue independent living, but after
12 hours without help only 10% of people will continue to live at home (New England Journal of Medicine) - Nearly one half of the older adults who incur a serious injury never fully recover and many lose their ability to
function independently for the rest of their lives. A good portion of them end up in nursing homes, making falls
and the injuries that result, one of the most substantial health threats facing older adults. (Yale University
School of Medicine)
Facts on Heart Attacks:
- 1.5 million heart attacks occur in the United States each year with 500,000 deaths. A heart attack occurs about
every 20 seconds with a heart attack death about every minute. - About 50% of deaths occur within one hour of the heart attack - outside a hospital.
- There is only a 6% to 9% early mortality rate from heart attack for those who survive long enough to reach the
hospital. Getting to the hospital quickly is the goal. Deaths from cardiovascular diseases in women exceed the
total number of deaths caused by the next 16 causes. - Costs related to heart attack exceed 60 billion dollars per year. Coronary Heart Disease is America's No. 1
killer. Stroke is No. 3 and a leading cause of serious disability.
