One in three people over 65 experience a fall each year, risking serious injury and even death, with higher rates in resedential aged care facilities.
At the 4th International Conference of Long-Term Care Directors, held at UNSW Sydney in early August, CEPAR Chief Investigator Professor Robert Cumming presented an overview of the measures to prevent falls.
Over the past 25 years there have been more than 200 randomized trials of falls preventions and interventions. The evidence from these studies is summarised in two Cochrane Collaboration Reviews*, both of which were conducted by Australian and New Zealand falls researchers, including CEPAR Investigators Professor Robert Cumming and Professor Lindy Clemson of the University of Sydney.
Many falls among people living in the community can be prevented by reducing the use of psychotropic medications, by appropriate exercise programs, by home modifications and by multifactorial assessment and intervention programs.
In aged care facilities, the only proven intervention is vitamin D supplementation.
Channel 9 News interviewed Professor Cumming on how to help prevent seniors from falls - watch the video below.
One in three people over 65 experience a fall each year, risking serious injury and even death. #9Newshttps://t.co/HYgUtttF9H
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) August 3, 2018
* Cameron ID, Gillespie LD, Robertson MC, Murray GR, Hill KD, Cumming RG, Kerse N. Interventions for preventing falls in older people in care facilities and hospitals. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD005465. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005465.pub3.
* Gillespie LD, Robertson MC, Gillespie WJ, Sherrington C, Gates S, Clemson LM, Lamb SE. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD007146. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007146.pub3.