Premature deaths report puts focus on falls
Professor Hill, who is a long-time advocate for a national falls strategy, said there were still gaps in the evidence around what interventions worked.
“We still don’t have anywhere near enough research,” said Professor Hill, who is part of the team updating the Cochrane review of research into falls in residential aged care.
While there was some good evidence supporting falls prevention initiatives in community care, “the evidence is very light in residential aged care,” he said.
“All the literature points to the fact that there is an increased fall rate in Aged Care facilities.
This is somewhere around 6 * times that of those in their own homes.
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A coordinated strategy should also address staffing issues in residential care – specifically the greater active involvement of allied health professionals in delivering programs for residents, he said.
While falls remain a key issue for seniors living in their own homes, Professor Hill said there are “extra challenges” in residential aged care given the increasing complexity and acuity of residents and greater cognitive impairment.
“All those things increase the risk of falls,” he said.
Responding to Professor Ibrahim’s research, Aged and Community Services Australia CEO Pat Sparrow said it was worth noting that falls are the highest cause of hospitalisation from injury across the whole community.
“This is an area in which the dignity and rights of the older person must be balanced with safety concerns,” she added.
Leading Age Services Australia chief Sean Rooney said residential care providers work with residents and their families to ensure a safe environment while not limiting a resident’s independence or freedoms.
“A good quality of life requires a certain degree of autonomy so residents may make choices that enhance their quality of life, but may also increase the risk of potential harm,” he said.
Article via Ageing Agenda
Professor Ibrahim’s research paper is available to read here
