Over-70s needed for trial into falls at home

RESEARCHERS IN York are seeking to recruit hundreds of volunteers to take part in a trial aiming to prevent falls at home which cost the NHS £2.3bn a year.

Studies show about a third of people aged over 65 and half of those over 80 experience a fall once a year.

That can be through poor eyesight, through tripping on an uneven surface or simply rushing to do a job.

A report by the Trauma Audit and Research Network found earlier this year that a third of all cases of life-threatening trauma in England and Wales were among over-60s.

The British Orthopaedic Association has forecast that more than 101,000 people will have a hip fracture in 2020. But it is thought many falls could be prevented by occupational therapists undertaking home assessments.

A previous small-scale study by the University of York suggested falls could be reduced by 12 per cent or more if home assessment strategies played a core part of care packages for the elderly.

The York team is now undertaking a larger study, involving 1,300 people, to test the figures and also work out the cost to the NHS.

Sarah Cockayne, research fellow at the York Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, said: “People often think that falls are part of getting older and that little can be done to stop them, but there are actually many ways to reduce falls.

“A GP may advise on adjusting footwear to improve your balance and making sure you have your eyesight tested regularly, but there are also important environmental changes that can be made, such as improving home lighting and where domestic appliances are placed within easy reach.”

The trial is recruiting people aged over 70 who have had a fall in the past 12 months or are concerned about having one. Previous studies have shown that fear of falling is almost as good an indicator that someone will have a fall in future, as a previous fall.

Volunteers will be divided into two groups, with both getting written advice on how to prevent a fall at home, but just one getting a visit from an occupational therapist.

Mrs Cockayne said: “We are not saying people have to have major revamps to take part. That is not always the appropriate action. It can be very simple things –how to manage the laundry without tripping over the lead on an iron.”

People living in the Harrogate, Sheffield, York and Grimsby areas, who are interested in taking part, should contact the York Trials Unit on 0800 915 0668.