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

£3,500 in social care

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

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 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

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

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.

INCREASE BALANCE

THROUGH EXERCISE

Exercise programs can cut falls by more than half (up to 55%)

Otago home exercise program


The NHS has produced strength and balance programs for the over 60s to do at home


Falls prevention programs designed around dancing in local communities

INCREASE PROTEIN IN DIET

Over 60s can hugely benefit from eating extra protein:

1.0 - 1.3 g/kg of body weight

The UK RDA for protein is 0.75g / kg of bodyweight. However "These recommendations are derived as a minimum amount to maintain nitrogen balance and are not optimised for physical activity level (PAL). Individuals with low physical activity levels have decreased rates of nitrogen retention and therefore in order to maintain muscle tissue have increased protein requirements in comparison to those who are active. Considering that physical activity decreases with age, this is an important factor when protein needs are evaluated. Furthermore, the body of an ageing adult undergoes multiple physiological changes which alter protein utilisation, and thus requirements".
Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5872778/

What would this look like in practice?

1.3 g/kg of protein would equate to a palm to a plam and a half sized portion of protein in 3 meals across the day for a 70kg person.

SUPPLEMENTATION OF CREATINE

Supplementing with CREATINE in the over 60s has shown to increase strength and muscle mass without exercise.

Creatine is a substance found naturally in muscle cells. Your body both makes and gets it from the food you eat. Creatine supplements are cheap and can be taken in powder or pill form.