A fall is an unexpected event that results in a person inadvertently coming to rest on the ground or a lower surface, with or without injury. The prevalence of falls increases with age and is the leading cause of preventable injury-related hospitalizations (85% of cases) among older adults (aged 65 years and older) in Canada; falls are also the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths globally. Approximately 20% to 30% of older adults in Canada report falling yearly. 

In Ontario in 2024, the rate of emergency department visits for falls in older adults was nearly 6,000 falls per 100,000 people, and the hospitalization rate was almost 1,500 per 100,000 people. The average length of hospital stay for older adults who have had a fall is four to five days longer than for those hospitalized for injuries due to any cause. 

This quality standard addresses care for adults aged 18 years and older who have experienced a fall or who are at risk of falling, with a focus on older adults, aged 65 and older, and their care partners. It addresses care provided in all health care settings, including acute care, emergency, primary care, regional geriatric, long-term care, palliative care and other home and community care settings, as well as referral to specialized care. The quality standard may also apply to care provided in rehabilitation, behavioural support or specialized geriatric settings. 

This quality standard does not address the treatment of comorbidities. However, it can be used alongside existing Ontario Health quality standards to address the needs of people who have experienced a fall or are at risk of falling and have comorbidities such as behavioural symptoms of dementia, delirium, dementia or hip fracture, as well as the needs of those requiring palliative care or transitions between hospital and home.

A separate quality standard addressing frailty is in development.

Share Your Feedback

We are seeking feedback on a draft quality standard and patient guide for Falls in Adults. Submissions will be accepted until May 26, 2026.

We welcome feedback from the following people from across Ontario:

• People who have experienced a fall and their families and care partners
• Health care clinicians
• Researchers
• Administrators
• Members of related organizations/associations

A separate quality standard addressing Frailty in Adults is in development and open for feedback.