MODEL RELEASED. Elderly woman injured by falling at home. The fall may have been an accident, or it could have been caused by a medical disorder, such as a heart attack or a stroke, either of which can be fatal if left untreated. Elderly people can have slower reflexes and be less athletic than younger people, making them less likely to be able to prevent a fall. The most common injuries from a fall are broken bones and head injuries. Elderly women may have osteoporosis, a condition where the bones become brittle and break easily. A fall is likely to break a hip, requiring a hip replacement operation.