Falls are Australia’s leading cause of injury for hospitalisations and deaths, and as more of us live longer lives, our risk of suffering from a fall increases significantly.
While almost half of all hospitalisations and injury deaths occur from falls, a new study has now revealed that fall-related injuries in Australia’s aged care sector could cost the Australian healthcare system hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
University of Queensland (UQ) researchers monitored the injuries and expenses spent on 303 aged care residents in different states and found that fall injuries accounted for 20 per cent of annual residential care expenditure, which worked out to be around $2,500 dollars per patient.
UQ researcher Dr Charles Okafor said the study monitored residents aged 65 years and over and while only a minority of those who fell acquired injuries, the financial cost to the health care system would still add up to millions of dollars if this number was extrapolated to include the entire residential aged-care community in the country.
“A total of 281 residents had falls, but only 119 of the residents had fall injuries, so the potential cost of fall injuries to Australia’s health care system was $325 million dollars a year,” Dr Okafor said.
“Falls pose a significant financial burden but despite efforts to address the issue over the years, falls continue to remain a significant problem.”
In addition, Dr Okafor and his team found body mass index (BMI) and gender were the two major factors linked to a high falls risk.
“We found male residents were twice as likely to suffer a fall related injury and those with a normal BMI were also at higher risk,” Dr Okafor said.
“Residents with a normal BMI are possibly more independent and not as closely monitored as those who could be overweight or underweight and less mobile.
“The falls risk profile is completely different for those living in the community which means we need different approaches for different populations.”
Dr Okafor added that while a national prevention strategy is in place through the Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society, more action is needed to create a strategy specifically targeting aged care residents.
“Successful examples like the National Ageing Research Institute’s falls prevention in residential aged care workshops could be used as models for implementation nationwide,” Dr Okafor said.
“This could come about by liaising with stakeholders to find out what the training needs of aged care staff are, the challenges they’re facing, and what could minimise costs.”
Although this study focused on those living in residential aged care, those of us outside aged care are more likely to suffer falls at home where most people spend the majority of their time.
While not all falls result in injury, the incident can often result in a person losing confidence in their own abilities and withdrawing from life to avoid the risk of suffering a fall again.
Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to age-proof the home and reduce the risk of falls.
The first step in age-proofing the home is to assess it for fall hazards. This involves identifying areas of the home that could potentially cause a fall. For example, tripping hazards such as loose rugs or uneven flooring should be addressed. Make sure that all rugs are secured with non-slip backing and consider removing any rugs that are not necessary. Check for clutter and obstacles in walkways, such as electrical cords or furniture, and remove them if possible.
The bathroom is one of the most common places for falls to occur, so it’s important to make sure that it is as safe as possible. Install grab bars in the shower and near the toilet and consider using a shower chair or bench. Make sure that the bathroom floor is not slippery and consider using non-slip mats or treads.
In the bedroom, make sure that the bed is at a comfortable height and consider using a bed rail to help with getting in and out of bed. Keep the bedroom well-lit and make sure that there are no obstacles in the path from the bed to the bathroom.
In the kitchen, look for hazards such as loose or frayed cords on appliances and make sure that they are all in good working order. Keep commonly used items within reach and use a step stool with a handrail if necessary. Make sure that the kitchen is well-lit and consider using non-slip mats or treads.
After assessing the home for fall hazards, the next step is to make any necessary modifications to prevent falls. Modifying the home is an important consideration for those who wish to age in place and maintain their independence.
Some modifications that can be made to the home to minimise the risk of falls include installing grab bars and handrails in strategic locations, such as in the bathroom and on stairs, improving lighting throughout the home, and ensuring that all floors are slip-resistant.
Additionally, you may want to consider using assistive devices, such as walkers or canes when moving around the home to further reduce the risk of falling.
Speaking to Starts at 60, Research Fellow Dr Claudia Meyer from Bolton Clarke Research Institute suggests the following when age-proofing your home:
By taking these steps to modify your home, you can create a safer and more secure environment that supports your independence and enables you to age in place with confidence.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.