Alva Review-Courier -

When kids fall, they usually just get up and return to playing. But for older adults, falls are a major threat to good health and independence.

Every year, about one in four Americans 65 and older falls, and about one in five of those who lose their footing suffers a serious injury, such as a hip fracture, broken bone or head injury.

About 3 million older adults a year are treated in emergency departments for injuries from falls, and about 800,000 are admitted to hospitals. But even a fall without a major injury can cause an older adult to become fearful or depressed, making it difficult to re...