CLEVELAND — The recent injury of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has put the dangers of falling in the spotlight.

According to his spokesperson, the Senate minority leader, who is 81-years-old, fell recently during a private dinner and was taken to the hospital where he was treated for a concussion.

What You Need To Know

  • Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was recently treated at the hospital for a concussion, due to a fall

  • In Ohio, one in three residents aged 65 and older fall every year

  • Falling is the leading cause of injury for older Ohioans
  • In 2019, falls among older Ohioans led to 1,490 deaths and 75,091 trips to the emergency room
​Falling, in fact, causes more injuries among seniors that some might think.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, the leading cause of injury for older Ohioans is falling. The state health department said one in three residents aged 65 and older fall every year.

“It’s a pretty big deal,” said Donna Barrett, Summit County Public Senior & Adult Services Program Manager. “[Fallling] can be very tragic, even deadly.”

In 2019 alone, according to the state health department, falls among older Ohioans led to 1,490 deaths and 75,091 trips to the emergency room.

“You don’t have to be a certain age to fall, but it’s more devastating when an older person does fall,” Barrett said.

For seniors, the risks of falling could be all around them. 

These risks include:

  • Not having railings on both sides of the steps
  • Having clutter around the bed
  • Extension cords on the floor
  • Throw rugs
  • Bath tubs without an anti-slip mat

Being aware of the items certainly helps to reduce the risks, but they can still be a challenge for older folks who live alone. It’s an important reminder, Barrett said, for not just seniors, but for their loved ones as well.

“Anybody can fall, but if you are living by yourself and you don’t have somebody checking on you on a daily basis you should have a Life Alert. It does save people’s lives," she said.

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