Falls and Fractures

Where possible take precautions and install new equipment to help prevent falls and fractures, especially during the winter where the weather will increase danger.

New Equipment

Consder installing grab rails, level shower access and suitable lighting.

Falls

Accidental falls are a major cause of injury in older people. In Wales every year there are around 4,200 hip fractures, many as the result of an accidental fall. About one quarter of people with such fractures die within six months of the injury and half of survivors fail to gain their previous independence.

The average length of hospital stay for a patient with a hip fracture is five weeks – but can be as long as six months. Around £84m is spent each year on hip fractures by health and social services and at any one time patients recovering from hip fractures occupy 400 hospital beds in Wales. This does not include time off work for those caring for injured relatives or the emotional trauma that individuals and families under go with any accident.

Of those who attended accident and emergency departments in Wales in 2001-2002 - nearly 20,000 were aged 65 plus.

Of these more than - 4,600 were admitted to hospital.

Accidents are preventable

Interventions such as

** stairgates and fireguards for young children,
** thermostatic mixing valves on baths and showers to cap the temperature water leaves the tap
** safety catches on windows
** extra hand rails on stairs and grab rails in bathrooms
** smoke alarms
** carbon monoxide detectors
** electric blanket testing
** good lighting
** lockable cupboards for medicines
** correct footwear
** safe and suitable environment to live in

These can all play a major part in preventing accidents. Education, information and design factors also play their part.

The Wales Home Safety Council seeks to work alongside other safety minded organisations to reduce the number of home accidents for everyone.

The Wales Home Safety Council seeks to work with other agencies and organisations to reduce the number of home accidents that occur each year in Wales.

Source: RoSPA & NHS Wales

Link: Wales Home Safety Council (Opens in new window)