Falls leads to injury in about half of people age 65 and over. In fact, 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, often because of a hip fracture or head injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many older people who haven't fallen are worried about doing so, and rightfully so: More than one in four people age 65 and older fall each year, according to the CDC. But falling doesn't have to be a normal part of growing older. Our checklist for preventing falls offers tips for staying safe and independent as you age.