THE number of injured people admitted to hospital after suffering a fall has risen over the past five years, prompting a community reminder to take steps to reduce the risk of preventable falls.
SA Health’s chief public health officer Professor Paddy Phillips said the number of falls that led to treatment in hospital had increased by 30pc between 2013 and 2017.
“In 2017 there were 22,576 people admitted to a South Australian public hospital after a fall, compared to 15,846 admissions in 2013,” he said.
“Of those, 67pc were aged over 65 and on average they needed to stay in hospital for almost a week.
“Injuries from a fall can affect a person for the rest of their life – some of the injuries we see include fractures, brain injury, nerve damage and open wounds.”
Last year, around 400 people died in hospital from injuries sustained from a fall.
Risk factors include changes in health, muscle weakness, reduced balance, medications and reduced eyesight.
“During Falls Awareness Month we are reminding people that falls are not an inevitable part of ageing and there are a number of things they can do to reduce the risk,” Professor Phillips said.
“Finding ways to keep active to promote muscle balance and flexibility, assessing medications and their potential side effects and ensuring appropriate footwear is worn can all reduce the risk of falls.”
SA Health runs falls clinics for people who have had or are at risk of falls.
