Staff in subacute care at the Keswick Multi-Care Center weren’t sure if an older woman was going to recover after she was sent to them from a local hospital.

Two years later, that same woman was able to move from long-term care into her own apartment. After another year, she is now a regular visiting Keswick Community Health programs every day, taking classes, making art and even participating in a walking club.

The Baltimore City Health Department has set a community-wide goal to reduce the number of falls for older adults by 20 percent over the next 10 years.

Last year, the department estimates that nearly 5,000 older adults visited the emergency department due to a fall, more than 20 percent higher than the statewide average. Each fall has an average cost of $39,000, for a total of $60 million annually.

City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said as an ER physician she has treated many patients, such as those on blood thinners, who have died as a result of a fall. But she’s also seen other consequences, like someone who goes from living independently or even caring for others to suddenly needing skilled nursing care.

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