What is the leading cause of fatal and non fatal injuries in individuals aged 65 and over?
Falls Show
Facing up to fallsThis RoSPA video highlights easy tips to prevent an elderly relative, friend, neighbour or even your gran from falling over at home How to get up safely after a fallThis RoSPA video highlights easy tips to help older people get back on their feet after falling over at home Stay SteadyHelpful tips for older adults on improving their balance and strength in their own home to help them avoid falls Facing up to FallsFacing up to Falls, aims to provide families and older people with practical steps to avoid falls by highlighting key issues that lead to a tumble. How to get up safely after a fallThe risk of falling in the home increases with age. A substantial number of falls are due to unspecified reasons and whilst moving about on one level. This may reflect instability associated with impaired general health. The cause of a fall is often multi-factorial, involving both environmental hazards and an underlying medical condition. Strength, balance and gait, decline in vision, mental health problems and deficiencies in the diet are all contributory risk factors. Although prescription medicines are seldom the cause of falls, they may also be a major risk factor. Falls affect over a third of people over 65 years old and 40% of people over 80. 5 Stay steadyThe Public Health Agency (PHA), in partnership with councils across Northern Ireland, has produced a falls prevention video to raise awareness of the measures we can take at home to prevent falls, which can be viewed below or at pha.site/StaySteady. The Health Survey for Northern Ireland 2017/18 found that 23% of respondents aged 55 and over reported having had a fall in or around their home in the last two years.” Incorporating small changes into everyday routine can be beneficial in preventing an accident at home. In addition to removing hazards that could cause a trip, engaging in regular physical activity, to develop and maintain strength and balance, is also particularly important as we get older. Exercises designed to improve muscle strength, some of which are highlighted in the video, can reduce the risk of a fall by improving posture, coordination and balance. Risk factors for fallsResearch has indicated a wide range of multiple risk factors for falls. 1 These include:
Hip fracturesFractures, particularly hip fractures are one of the most debilitating results of an accidental fall. Ninety per cent of hip fractures occur among those aged 50 and over. 4 Hip fracture is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It can result in medical complications, infections, blood clot in the leg and failure to regain mobility. The increased popularity of hip protectors has been very useful in preventing the severity of a falls-related injury. Click here to read the full document 'How Safe are Hip Protectors?' (PDF 128kb). Prevention
Facing up to FallsRoSPA, the UK's leading accident prevention charity, has created the short film, Facing up to Falls, as part of its Safer Homes project. It aims to provide families and older people with practical steps to avoid falls by highlighting key issues that lead to a tumble. The film contains advice on preventing a fall and involves real-life experiences of older people living in the London boroughs of Hackney, Islington and Newham. More than 3,500 people in England and Wales die every year as a result of a fall and nearly a third of a million people need hospital treatment. Many older people who suffer from falls never fully recover from either the physical or psychological impact of their injuries. Over a quarter of falls result in hip fractures and the treatment of these alone is estimated to cost around £2billion 1. Falls are a significant and growing public health issue in an ageing population. This film is downloadable to members of the public and professionals working with older people. Can flooring and underlay materials reduce the number of hip fractures in the elderly?Hip fractures in the elderly after a fall are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. They can result in complications, infections, blood clot in the legs and failure to regain mobility. Hip fractures can have a serious impact on a person's life. One suggested method of preventing hip fracture is through the use of improved flooring. Slippery floors and unsuitable shoes are some of the major factors that contribute to over a third of all falls annually. Can flooring and underlay materials reduce the number of hip fractures in the elderly? (PDF 248kb) Falls are so commonplace that they are accepted as almost inevitable. More public awareness needs to be achieved. Professionals and carers can help older people to sustain an active life where possible by helping them to identify potential hazards and making known sources of assistance. Older people need to be made aware of:
What to do if you have a fall:
What to do if hurt:
Fire-related accidents143 people over the age of 65 died in 2010 in fires to which fire brigades are called. Poor mobility, poor sense of smell and a reduced tolerance of smoke and burns contribute to fatalities. Major sources of ignition include cookers, materials, candles, coal fires, heaters and electric blankets. 2 Prevention
PoisoningMedicines and gases, mainly carbon monoxide and pipeline gas, predominantly cause accidental poisoning of people over 65. 2
Burns and scaldsFor older people the rate of risk for severe accidents involving burns and scalds is lower than other age groups. However, older people are at the highest risk for fatal injuries from burns and scalds - four to five times greater than the population as a whole. Pre-existing conditions often contribute to their deaths. 2 Contact burns to those over 65 can prove to be fatal. Frail and poor health of the victim are often contributing factors. The main sources of heat include radiators, electric fires and cookers. Many are scald injuries, involving the use of kettles. Prevention Encourage the use of:
What is the leading cause of fatal and non fatal injury among adults 65 years of age and older?Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. The cost of treating injuries caused by falls is projected to increase to over $101 billion by 2030. Falls result in more than 3 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations.
What is the leading cause of injuryFalls are the leading cause of accidental deaths in the elderly 65 and older.
What is the leading cause of injury in older adults?Press Release. Every second of every day in the United States an older adult falls, making falls the number one cause of injuries and deaths from injury among older Americans.
What proportion of people over 65 are likely to have a fall?Around 1 in 3 adults over 65 and half of people over 80 will have at least one fall a year. Most falls do not result in serious injury.
|