Falls in the Elderly Population – The Quiet Menace
Falls in the over 65s are an all-too-common occurrence that can have serious repercussions. We all accept that life gets that little harder as we get older, eyesight deteriorates, hearing loss is more common, and being less steady on our feet is sadly all too common. It is a staggering fact that 30% of those aged over 65 suffer a fall at least once a year.
Falls in the elderly can lead to more severe issues with mobility and, in some cases, can require hospital treatment. We are not just talking about falls that happen outside the home as a result of uneven pavements, and these also fall that occur in the familiar surroundings of the house.
In fact, according to a survey that was commissioned by Age UK, falling is the top concern that many elderly people have. Of the number surveyed, they found that 36% (approximately 4.3 million) of older people considered this to be their number one concern.
Falls in the elderly can all too often result in hip fractures; not only can this have profound health implications for this age group, but many of these falls are preventable. The research further noted that falls are the most common cause of death due to injury in those over the age of 75, a number that has increased significantly over the last decade.
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More bad news
The shocking statistics don’t end there. In the over 80s, 50% fall at least once a year. With more and more elderly people looking to retain their independence for as long as possible it is easy to see the correlation between the increase in the number of falls and the decrease in those individuals who want to live in a residential or care home. Fortunately, there is a solution.
Is there a solution?
For many of those elderly living on their own, the worry of falling is a constant one. Live-in care offers a real alternative that can help reduce the risks of these types of accidents in the home whilst allowing the elderly person the opportunity to retain as much of their independence as possible.
The live-in care model is already a well-proven one for effective and safe care in the UK, and new research commissioned by The Live-in Care Hub, a not-for-profit organization, confirms that live-in care does, in fact, offer a significantly better alternative to residential care. So much so that it should be considered a significant part of the social care future here in the UK.
A collaboration between the University of Kent and the London School of Economics, the report used proprietary research and was published date by the world-renowned Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU); and indicates that when an older person is cared for in their own home by a professional carer, they are healthier and safer.
A professional carer is well placed to help an elderly person in their care to keep active and ensure that there are no unexpected trip hazards, tailoring the care given to the needs of an individual person – keeping the quiet menace at bay.
The Live-In Care Hub’s Better At Home Report is available to view or download from www.liveincarehub.co.uk
