Falls amongst older people can have a devastating impact

THREE charities who work with older people have joined forces to address the devastating impact that falls can have on older people in Wales. Age Connects Wales, Age Cymru and Care & Repair Cymru have come together to deliver Falls Awareness Week, which is funded by the Welsh Government and endorsed by the National Falls Prevention Taskforce.

The devastating impact of falls amongst older people: 700 older people in Wales will die from a fall this year. Public Health Wales predicts that more than 132,000 older people in Wales will fall more than once in their home, and it is estimated that the combined falls amongst older people costs the NHS in Wales a staggering £2.3 billion.

The partnership also reveals that, following a fall, 2,800 older people will suffer a hip fracture often requiring extensive treatment, and more than 1,400 older people will lose their independence as a result of a fall. Many lose their self-confidence and seek some form of sheltered accommodation, perhaps many years before they intended such a move.

Age Connect Wales’ Karen Steele says: “Falls are not an inevitable part of ageing and there are many things people can do to help reduce their risk. Staying active through regular exercise helps improve core strength and balance, and there are many safe exercises for older people such as Nordic Walking and Tai Chi. Older people should also look after their feet and make sure they don’t allow their toenails to grow too long. When out and about older people should keep themselves hydrated and remember to use their walking aids.”

Age Cymru’s Angharad Phillips urges older people not to live in fear of falling. She says: “Older people should speak to their GP about any concerns they may have about falling and also to their pharmacist about the possible side effects of the medication they’ve been prescribed. Older people can also take advantage of a free eye test once they reach 60 years of age.

The important thing is to seek help and not suffer in silence.”

Care & Repair Cymru’s Neil Williams adds: “There is much we can do to make our homes safer in terms of falls prevention. For example, installing grab rails in strategic positions around the home, taping down frayed carpets and rugs and ensuring stairs and steps are well lit and are not a hazard. We’d also urge people to review how they can live safely, with some simple advice like checking they have safe footwear and to make sure they’re not wearing old slippers that no longer support their feet correctly.”

Despite being fit and healthy

Mair Morgan, 85, suffered a fall whilst out walking. Having tripped over a broken pavement, she was left in severe pain and needed prescribed painkillers just to sleep at night.

Mair’s painful knee prevented her from undertaking her usual household chores and she therefore had to rely upon her family to look after her for a short while. This was particularly difficult for Mair who had always cherished her ability to live an independent life. Despite taking place in the middle of the lockdown, Mair said that the care and attention she received from the health service was faultless and it reassured her that she would become active and independent once more.

Mair, who has since reported the broken pavement to the local authority to help prevent others from falling, said the psychological pain was just as bad as the physical pain. She used to teach Nordic Walking and considered herself to be an active and fit person so her pride was deeply hurt from the fall. While paying tribute to the people who stopped to help her, Mair advised other older people on preventing falls to keep as active and fit as possible.

For more information about falls and Falls Awareness Week please contact:

Age Connects Wales

Telephone 01639 617 333

Email: enquiries@ageconnectswales.org.uk Website: www.ageconnectswales.org.uk

Age Cymru

Telephone 029 2043 1555

Email: enquiries@agecymru.org.uk Website: www.agecymru.org.uk/falls Care & Repair Cymru

Telephone 0300 111 3333 (local service) Email: enquiries@careandrepair.org.uk Website: www.careandrepair.org.uk