Monday 16th September 2024 – Friday 20th September 2024
This week, we are raising awareness about the importance of falls prevention by educating our staff, patients, and residents on effective falls management, prevention strategies, and identifying those most at risk. Falls prevention is essential in improving the health and well being of older adults, who are disproportionately affected by falls and related injuries.
According to the World Health Organisation (2018), falls are "a major cause of injury, disability, morbidity, and mortality." Falls are a significant public health issue globally and remain the second most common cause of unintentional injury and death.
The British Geriatrics Society (2022) highlights the growing importance of falls management, stating, "The world’s population is ageing. Falls and related injuries are increasingly common, making their prevention and management a critical global challenge."
Falls are not just a physical health issue; they can have a profound impact on a person's confidence and independence. For older adults, the fear of falling can lead to reduced mobility, increased isolation, and a decreased quality of life. By raising awareness and implementing effective falls management strategies, we can help prevent injuries and improve the overall well being of our ageing population.
Through education and collaboration, we aim to minimise the risk of falls for our patients and residents, ensuring that their recovery and daily activities remain as safe and comfortable as possible.
By staying informed and proactive, we can help reduce the number of falls and improve outcomes for those most at risk. Read our Reduce Your Risk of Falling Over Leaflet.
For Falls Prevention Awareness Week, Joy and Gwyn from our Art Therapies and Frailty teams held an intergenerational learning session on the Children’s Ward at The Grange University Hospital.
During the session, the children helped Joy and Gwyn create a song that they could sing to their grandparents about how to avoid falling over.
This musical and interactive session taught everyone valuable lessons on how to reduce the risk of falls in older adults.