Why is falls prevention important

Falls and fractures in older people are a costly and often preventable health issue. Reducing falls and fractures is important for maintaining health, wellbeing and independence amongst older people. A fall is defined as an event which causes a person to, unintentionally, rest on the ground or lower level, and is not a result of a major intrinsic event such as a stroke or overwhelming hazard.

Having a fall can happen to anyone; it is an unfortunate but normal result of human anatomy. However, as people get older, they are more likely to fall over. Falls can become recurrent and result in injuries including head injuries and hip fractures.

Falls are events resulting from the presence of risk factors. The likelihood and severity of injury resulting from an event is related to bone health. People with low bone mineral density are more likely to experience a fracture following a fall. One of the main reasons why people have low bone mineral density is osteoporosis. Over 3 million people in the UK have osteoporosis and they are at much greater risk of fragility fractures.

Hip fractures alone account for 1. The causes of having a fall are multifactorial — a fall is the result of the interplay of multiple risk factors. Delivery of strength and balance exercises for falls prevention amongst older people using digital technologies to replace face-to-face contact during COVID home isolation and physical distancing.

Keep on Keep up app. This app help reduce the high risk of falls and physical decline in older people self-isolating during the COVID Lockdown. Public Health England et al. Active at home. A guide to being active at home during the coronavirus outbreak. Contrary to popular belief, falls are not inevitable and many older people can be prevented from falling. Some risk factors for falls are relatively easy to change and, where falls occur, the severity of injuries can be reduced.

The first step is to ensure that if a person is feeling unsteady or has a fall, even one that does not cause an injury, an appointment is made to discuss this with a doctor. Falls can be an indicator of an underlying health problem. The more active you are the better your chance of keeping your muscles strong and joints flexible.

To avoid falls and injuries from falls, exercise to maintain or improve your balance, strength and flexibility. Home or group exercise programs and tai chi are good examples.

Or you could join a walking group or your local gym — some of which have programs specially tailored for older people. Check with your GP before starting a physical activity program. A physiotherapist can help design an exercise program that suits you. See your doctor to check for injuries and to assess whether there was a medical cause for the fall. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Acquired brain injuries and spinal cord injuries may have a significant effect on your intimate relationships, friendships, social networks, recreation and work activities.

The long-term effects of brain injury will be different for each person and can range from mild to profound. Admitted rehabilitation aims to provide care to maximise independence and quality of life for people with a disabling condition.

Advance care plans can help the people close to you and those caring for you to know what is important to you about the level of healthcare and quality of life you would want. When returning to a flood-affected area, remember that wild animals, including rats, mice, snakes or spiders, may be trapped in your home, shed or garden.

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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Safety. Older people — preventing falls at home. What kinds of resources are needed? What if you are not ready for full-scale change? Checklist for assessing readiness for change 2.

How will you manage change? How can you set up the Implementation Team for success? What needs to change and how do you need to redesign it? How should goals and plans for change be developed? Checklist for managing change 3. Which fall prevention practices do you want to use?

Which fall prevention practices should you use? What are universal fall precautions and how should they be implemented? What is a standardized assessment of risk factors for falls, and how should this assessment be conducted? How should identified risk factors be used for fall prevention care planning? How should you assess and manage patients after a fall?

Take a look around your home. Your living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, hallways and stairways may be filled with hazards. To make your home safer:. Your doctor might recommend using a cane or walker to keep you steady. Other assistive devices can help, too. For example:.

If necessary, ask your doctor for a referral to an occupational therapist. He or she can help you brainstorm other fall-prevention strategies. Some solutions are easily installed and relatively inexpensive. Others may require professional help or a larger investment. If you're concerned about the cost, remember that an investment in fall prevention is an investment in your independence.

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