FALLS IN THE ELDERLY

THE NUMBERS & STATS

33%

of people over 65 have a fall each year.

50%

of people over 80 have a fall each year.

10%

of falls

result in a fracture

A hip fracture costs the NHS
£12,000...

£3,500 in social care

Every 10 seconds in the UK, someone over 65 suffers a fall!

Every HOUR someone over 65

DIES due to a hip fracture

33% of people over 60

who fracture their hip DIE within a year

Every HOUR someone over 65

DIES due to a hip fracture

33% of people over 60

who fracture their hip DIE within a year

Falls are the most common cause of death from injury in over 65s

COSTS

OF FALLS BY ELDERLY

Falls cost the NHS 2.3 billion a year

Falls are the largest

cause of emergency hospital admissions

for older people

Hip fractures cost £6 Million / day

THE NUMBERS

FALLS AND REPERCUSSIONS

THE NUMBERS

FALLS AND REPERCUSSIONS

TOTAL FALLS

NO HARM

LOW HARM

MODERATE HARM

SEVERE HARM

DEATH

UNDER 65

57,000

41,838

14,193

8,550

11,400

0 OVER 65

190,000

135,090

48,450

38,000

9,500

1,900

Falls account for 40%

of nursing home admissions

Falls account for 25%

of all hospital admissions

Falls account for 40%

of nursing home admissions

Falls account for 25%

of all hospital admissions

40% of those who fall don't
return to independent living

...and 25% of those DIE
within a year

40% of those who fall don't
return to independent living

...and 25% of those DIE
within a year

RESULTS OF FALLS

What happens following a fall?

RESULTS OF FALLS

What happens following a fall?

Distress
Pain
Injury
Loss of confidence
Loss of independence
Mortality 😢

Distress
Pain
Injury
Loss of confidence
Loss of independence
Mortality 😢

HOWEVER...

...Anti-fall programs can prevent 55% of falls

If over 65s followed a program it would prevent 7,000

deaths (19 per day) just from hip fractures.

Falling is NOT an inevitable part of ageing.

With the right knowledge and support, older people

can stay active and prevent falling.

REASONS FOR FALLS

Balance problems

and muscle weakness

Poor vision

Balance problems

and muscle weakness

Poor vision

It could also be a long-term health condition, such as heart disease, dementia or low blood pressure (hypotension) which can lead to dizziness and a brief loss of consiousness.

Dizziness from some medications,

standing too quickly or dehydration

Foot problems

Dizziness from some medications,

standing too quickly or dehydration

Foot problems

Alcohol

WHAT CAN WE DO?

TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF FALLING...

Immediately mopping up spillages.
Removing clutter, trailing wires and frayed carpet.
Using non-slip mats and rugs.
Using high-wattage light bulbs in lamps and torches, so you can see clearly.
Organising zour yome so that climbing, stretching and bending are kept to a minimum, and to avoid bumping into things.
Getting help to do things that you're unable to do safely.
Not walking on slippery floors in socks and tights.
Not wearing loose-fitting, trailing clothes that might trip you up.
Wearing well-fitting shoes that are in good condition and support the ankle.
Regular sight tests.
Moderate alcohol consumption - alcohol can reduce coordination and
exaggerate the effects of some medication. Alcohol can also speed up the effects of oesteoperosis.

Immediately mop up spillages.
Removing clutter, trailing wires and frayed carpet.
Using non-slip mats and rugs.
Using high-wattage light bulbs in lamps and torches, so you can see clearly.
Organising zour yome so that climbing, stretching and bending are kept to a minimum, and to avoid bumping into things.
Getting help to do things that you're unable to do safely.
Not walking on slippery floors in socks and tights.
Not wearing loose-fitting, trailing clothes that might trip you up.
Wearing well-fitting shoes that are in good condition and support the ankle.
Regular sight tests.
Moderate alcohol consumption - alcohol can reduce coordination and
exaggerate the effects of some medication. Alcohol can also speed up the effects of oesteoperosis.