Preventing falls

Did you know?

• Salford has one of the highest rates of falls causing injuries requiring hospital admission amongst older people in Greater Manchester
• One in three adults aged over 65 fall at least once a year
• This means there are around 11,667 falls by people over 65 years old in Salford
• NHS England spends £15 million a year nationwide on fall-related injuries - and another £2 BILLION on hip fractures

Falls are serious at any age, but breaking a bone after a fall becomes more likely as a person ages. While healing, the fracture limits the person’s activities and sometimes requires surgery.

Even though bones do not break after every fall, the person who has fallen and broken a bone nearly always becomes fearful of falling again. As a result, she or he may limit activities for the sake of “safety.”

Several factors can lead to a fall including;

• Loss of footing, tripping or poor balance
• Changes to reflex speed
• Problems with vision
• Chronic medical conditions needing medication/being on a number of medications
• Drinking alcohol

Falls are preventable

Older people can help themselves with five simple steps: checking medication, taking regular exercise, wearing the right shoes, having an eye test and checking for hazards in their homes and outside.

Supporting materials

• Home Hazard Infographic 
• Six simple exercises 
• Preventing falls presentation
• Preventing falls booklet