(01/10/2012) The high cost to the economy of falls in the elderly and the need for prevention will be stressed this Thursday (October 4), which is Falls Awareness Day.
The cost to the economy of falls and fractures in the elderly is around €500 million annually.
This includes costs associated with emergency department visits, hospital stays, GP and outpatient visits and long-term care.
One in three people over the age of 65 will fall every year in Ireland. Two-thirds of this group will fall again within six months, leading to risk of hospitalisation and significant health decline. As well as physical injuries suffered, the psychological and social consequences of falling can have a huge impact on the faller.
People who fall may suffer depression, anxiety, isolation and loss of independence.
The TRIL (Technology Research for Independent Living) Centre at Dublin’s St James’s Hospital has created a webpage with information and links about falls awareness and prevention.
Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Professor of Geriatric Medicine in Trinity College Dublin said: “the EU has targeted falls prevention as one of its main priorities for health research in ageing.”
“Falls become more common as we age and the consequences of falls, such as fractures, also increase. Unfortunately, recurrent falls often result in admission to long term care. Therefore, early detection of treatable conditions which cause falls can prevent these serious consequences. New technologies provide such early detection.”
Coinciding with Positive Ageing Week, the message from the TRIL Centre and Get Active Ireland on Falls Awareness Day is to is keep physically active. Exercise can help to improve your balance and your strength, and if you are worried about falling you are advised to contact your GP.
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The cost to the economy of falls and fractures in the elderly is around €500 million annually.
This includes costs associated with emergency department visits, hospital stays, GP and outpatient visits and long-term care.
One in three people over the age of 65 will fall every year in Ireland. Two-thirds of this group will fall again within six months, leading to risk of hospitalisation and significant health decline. As well as physical injuries suffered, the psychological and social consequences of falling can have a huge impact on the faller.
People who fall may suffer depression, anxiety, isolation and loss of independence.
The TRIL (Technology Research for Independent Living) Centre at Dublin’s St James’s Hospital has created a webpage with information and links about falls awareness and prevention.
Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Professor of Geriatric Medicine in Trinity College Dublin said: “the EU has targeted falls prevention as one of its main priorities for health research in ageing.”
“Falls become more common as we age and the consequences of falls, such as fractures, also increase. Unfortunately, recurrent falls often result in admission to long term care. Therefore, early detection of treatable conditions which cause falls can prevent these serious consequences. New technologies provide such early detection.”
Coinciding with Positive Ageing Week, the message from the TRIL Centre and Get Active Ireland on Falls Awareness Day is to is keep physically active. Exercise can help to improve your balance and your strength, and if you are worried about falling you are advised to contact your GP.
…