Seniors are more vulnerable to falls, as life expectancy rises

A record number of people over the age of 65 ended up needing emergency care last year following a fall, according to figures from safety monitor Veiligheid.nl.

An estimated 300 people a day suffered a fall in 2024, of whom two-thirds were women. “Women lose more muscle mass as they age, they have chronic illnesses more often than men, and they also use more medication,“ fall prevention expert Nathalie van der Velde told broadcaster NOS.

Some drugs, or combinations of drugs can also lead to dizziness and falls.

Women can also develop osteoporosis after the menopause which increases their chances of broken bones. Men more often have head injuries, because they continue to do DIY at an advanced age “and fall off a ladder, for example,” Van der Velde said.

Although women fall more often, serious fall-related injuries in men are rising rapidly as life expectancy increases.

Last year, an average of 20 people died from the complications of a fall, a rise of 5% compared to 2023 and four times more than 35 years ago, figures from statistics agency CBS showed.

Over half suffered a broken hip and one in five had a head injury which contributed to their death. Almost 45% were aged between 80 and 90 and some 36% were 90 or older.

According to health ministry guidelines, seniors should engage in muscle strengthening and balancing exercises at least twice a week to reduce the chances of falling over.