Friday 17th June 2011

Thousands of older people are at risk of losing mobility, confidence and suffering broken bones due to falls and are being urged to watch their step by NHS Derbyshire.


Figures released by the local health authority to coincide with National Falls Awareness Week (20th - 24th June) show that last year 38,452 people aged 65 or over fell in Derbyshire.

The personal cost of an accidental trip to an older person is enormous - with many suffering an earth-shattering loss of function, mobility, confidence and independence, as a result of injuries such as broken wrists, ankles or hips. Tragically, many also lose their lives.

Falls in people aged 65 or over are also responsible for a high volume of non-life threatening emergency ambulance calls, with the East Midlands Ambulance Service receiving 7,681 of these types of calls between April 2009 and 2010 from people living in Derbyshire.

In Derbyshire alone falls-related hospital admissions for people aged 65 cost the NHS around £7m, fractured hips £5m and £1.5m in ambulance costs.

Now experts at NHS Derbyshire say that by taking up a few simple measures older people can help to protect themselves from the potentially devastating consequence of a fall.

Helen O'Higgins, Falls Prevention Commissioning Manger for NHS Derbyshire said: "Tripping on the pavement or losing balance while trying to reach something in the cupboard might seem fairly harmless if you are fit and healthy, but the effects on long-term health, well-being and everyday confidence and independence for older people can be devastating.

"There are simple measures that everyone can take to prevent falls such as having regular eye tests to check for sight problems, keeping glasses clean, cutting down on potentially hazardous clutter, drinking water to stay hydrated and prevent dizziness, and keeping active to improve balance and strength.

"If you're taking four or more tablets a day, then it's also best to check with your GP or pharmacist regularly as some types of medication do increase the risk of falling.

"Eye tests are free to everyone over 60 now and you should get your eyes tested at least every two years. Older people often have different glasses for reading and distance, so it's important to check you are wearing the right glasses."

Predictions say that in Derbyshire this year, 14,960 men aged 65 or over will fall, with that figure rising to 23,502 in women aged 65 or over.

According to the Department of Health, seven per cent of fallers call the county's accident and emergency services, with 7,681 people from Derbyshire aged over 65 calling East Midlands Ambulance Service between April 2009 and March 2010 and 4,236 sent to hospitals.

National Falls Awareness Week is being run by Age UK.

Further information can be found at www.ageuk.org.uk/health-wellbeing/national-falls-awareness-week.

And here comes the science bit …. the key facts about falls .

Number of fallers

• Each year 35 per cent of people age 65 or over will experience a fall, with this figure rising to 45 per cent in people age 80 or over.
  
  
• The number of people likely to fall is estimated to increase by 50 per cent by 2020.
  
  
• Around 38,452 people aged 65 or over fell in Derbyshire in 2010.
  
  
• Predictions say that in Derbyshire this year 14,960 men aged 65 or over will fall, with that figure rising to 23,502 in women aged 65 or over

Impact on NHS services

• Each year sixty per cent of people living in residential and nursing homes fall. In 2009/10 more than 130 care home residents in Derbyshire were admitted to hospital with a broken hip.
  
  
• Seven per cent of fallers attend A&E. In 2009/10 7,681 fallers aged over 65 called the ambulance service, with 4,236 sent to hospital.
  
  
• In the High Peak and Dales there were 400 hospital inpatients admitted for falls in 2009 and 2010, and 138 admitted for broken hips. In South Derbyshire there were 296 hospital inpatients admitted for falls in 2009 and 2010, and 108 admitted for broken hips
  
  
• Total population in Derbyshire aged 65 and over predicted to be admitted to hospital as a result of falls:
  
  2011 - 2,992
  2015 - 3,330
  2020 - 3,382
  2025 - 4,614
  2030 - 5,140

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