Overview

Facts about falls in residential aged care

Falls rates are substantially higher among older people living in residential aged care facilities than those living in their own home, with between 30-60% of residents experiencing one or more falls each year. Falls occur in ambulatory and non-ambulatory residents in residential aged care, with the rate of falls reported as 2.5 times greater for ambulatory residents. In facilities that care for people with dementia, falls rates may even be higher.

The consequences of falls are often more severe for older people who fall in residential aged care than for older people living in their own home. This can in part be related to the higher level of medical co-morbidities, frailty, and debilitating diseases such as osteoporosis. One study highlighted that 54% of older people who fell in a residential aged care facility sustained injuries when they fell, with 33% sustaining a fracture (Kallin et al [2002]. Predisposing and precipitating factors for falls among older people in residential care. Public Health, 116 (5), 263-271.)

Several randomised controlled trials in residential aged care have demonstrated the effectiveness of multi-factorial falls prevention programs, either targeting interventions through a risk assessment process, or by introducing a multiple intervention program. Interventions that have been shown to be effective in reducing fall-related injuries include vitamin D and calcium supplementation, (where medically appropriate), and the use of hip protectors, (where there are no contra-indications).

Further details about the research highlighting the magnitude of the problem of falls in residential aged care, factors contributing to these falls, and effective strategies to reduce risk of falling can be found in:

• Analysis of research report update, by NARI for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, 2004

• Minimising the risk of falls and falls injuries: Guidelines for acute, sub-acute and residential care settings (Research supplement), produced by the Victorian Quality Council, 2004

• Falls prevention literature review update (2003), Queensland Health (further update/guidelines to be available in mid 2005)

To help you with your falls prevention program a range of resources are included on this section of the site.