Falls ‘main cause of death’ among elderly people

ACCIDENTAL falls is a leading cause of death and disability among the elderly, according to health experts.

And better care for them could cut the €18 million annual cost of hip fracture rehabilitation and reduce pressure on A&E units and hospital beds.

Speakers due to attend the First International Conference on Balance and Falls Management in the Older Person in Dublin next month will hear that accidental falls are not only costly to the economy, but are a leading cause of death and disability.

Up to 60% of injury admissions to hospital in people over the age of 65 years are due to limb fractures, caused mainly by falls.

Conference committee chairperson Dr Frances Horgan said such falls are responsible for longer lengths of stay in hospital and are the main cause of death from injury admissions.

Dr Horgan, a member of the conference co-hosts, the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, said preventative measures could be put in place to reduce accidental falls.

The conference takes place from May 6-8 in St James’s Hospital Dublin.