Overview

More than half of all people living in residential aged care facilities have at least one fall each a year. Injuries from falls are also common, with up to a half of these falls causing serious injuries, such as fractures.

Some of the things (risk factors) that can cause falls include:

• your personal health conditions such as poor eyesight, arthritis, stroke and incontinence (also known as intrinsic causes). Many of these conditions, either alone or together, can make it harder to keep your balance;

• environmental hazards (also known as extrinsic causes ) such as obstacles, tripping and slipping hazards, poor lighting, low seating, long distances between seats, or call bells or emergency alarms not being in reach; and

• some medicines, or a mix of medicines.

Research tells us that falls can be reduced among people living in residential aged care. By finding out what are your own risk factors are and working with the staff of your facility, you can find out what can be done to reduce your risk of falling.

What you need to know:

• Many falls can be prevented - falls are not an inevitable part of growing older;

• There are many risk factors that can cause falls the more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to fall;

• There are things that you can do to reduce the risk of falling; and

• Falls prevention strategies do more than just prevent falls, they help you maintain your independence and wellbeing.

It may be helpful to find out what actions or programs staff and management have put in place to reduce falls with in your facility, and how you can become involved in them.

On this section of the site you will find information to help you and other seniors living in residential aged care and your families, learn how to reduce the lower your risk of falling.