This section contains 'real life' data, which is a simplified version of complex epidemiology statistical reports which translates findings into 'real life'.
Falls are mostly preventable and predictable. However, in Queensland, one in four people aged 65 years older reported having a fall in the last year. Of these, about one in three required medical attention and one in 10 were admitted to hospital [214]. Of those who reported falling, 45 per cent reported having more than one fall [214].
More statistics about falls in Queensland are provided below.
| Each year, about 120 people die from a fall. This means there is one falls related death every three days. |
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Each year, there are about 17,000 hospitalisations for falls among people aged 65 years and older. This equates to:
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| Falls among people 65 years and older account for 80 per cent of the occupied bed days for all falls in all age groups, 11.8 per cent of occupied bed days for all conditions in this age group and 5.5 per cent of occupied bed days for all conditions in all age groups. |
| The length of stay in hospital for falls is 12 days on average, which is considerable. |
| Age standardised hospitalisation rates for falls in older people increased in the 10 year period between 1995/96 and 2004/05 by 33 per cent for males and 23 per cent for females. |
| Females are more at risk of a fall than males. |
| Based on area level comparisons, higher rates of falls are not associated with either low socio-economic status or remoteness. |
| In 2001, total hospital costs were $54 million, and costs are projected to quadruple in the next 40 to 50 years [3]. Taking into account all costs including GP, nursing homes, specialists and pharmaceutical, projected costs are set to increase to $320 million by 2051 [3]. |
| The population is growing and getting older, with the number of people aged 65 years and older is expected to more than triple in the next 20 to 50 years [3]. |
| In 2007, one in eight people are aged 65 years and over. By 2051, one in four people will be aged 65 years and over. Unless we prevent and protect people aged 65 years and over from falls, we can conservatively expect see a tripling in health services to meet population growth. |
| Modifiable physiological risk factors strongly associated with falls include impaired balance, gait, reduced muscle strength, slowed reaction time, use of multiple medications (specifically the use of benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antipsychotic and psychoactive medications), some medical conditions (for example: cardiac syncope), poor visual contrast sensitivity, depth perception, and eye diseases (for example: cataracts). |
| Modifiable psychological issues include fear of falling and depression. |
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Modifiable environmental issues include the removal of hazards from the home and public places.
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