Dutch Develop Falling Courses for Older Adults

People in the Netherlands are living longer than in previous generations, and often by themselves; consequently, obstacle courses that teach them to avoid falling as well as how to fall properly are increasing in popularity, reports the New York Times . Students begin by approaching mats slowly, lowering themselves down initially. Over the weeks, they learn how to correctly fall. Such courses have become sufficiently common that the Dutch government rates them, and even certain types of Dutch health insurance partly cover their costs. Official statistics estimate that 18.5 percent of the Dutch population is 65 or older, compared to 7.7 percent in 1950. A total of 3,884 people 65 or older died from falls in 2016, a 38 percent rise from 2014. According to experts, the increase in deaths is reflective of the overall aging of the population. The increase also accounts for the growing use of certain medications or general passivity.