New efforts to cut elderly falls

Thousands of older people end up in hospital after falls each year

New guidelines aimed at reducing the number of older people hurt by falls have been issued for England and Wales.

Hundreds of thousands of over-60s are treated at casualty units each year for fall-related injuries, at an estimated cost of more than £908m.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) says the correct medication is "a fundamental issue".

It recommends checks for major factors such as osteoporosis and checks on old people's homes for potential hazards.

They should also be assessed for muscle weakness, eyesight problems, heart and blood pressure and urinary incontinence - which can all cause falls, says NICE.

The guideline represents a significant driver for change Prof Peter Littlejohns, NICE

Doctors should watch patients walk to see if they have any problems with balance or "gait abnormalities", it says.

It also says patients' medication should be reviewed regularly as many old people take four or more medicines and the combination could make it more likely they will fall.

Any medicine should be taken for the shortest time necessary and only while they were still having a clear benefit, NICE said.

NICE clinical director Professor Peter Littlejohns said: "The guideline represents a significant driver for change in an area of healthcare that has not, until now, benefited from the application of a consistent and coherent approach nationally."

According to the Department of Health, more than 30% of people aged over 65 fall over in any one year and the percentage increases with age.

Falls can lead to serious injury and a loss of independence and general quality of life for older people.

Guidance welcomed

Pamela Holmes, of the charity Help the Aged said, welcomed the guidance.

She said: "Injury resulting from falls is a major cause of death and disability in older age.

"Yet falls and the associated injuries can relatively easily be avoided.

"The guidelines represent a useful first step in raising awareness among professionals and improving the response to falls by local health and care services.

"However, Help the Aged believes that it is equally important for information on the steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of falls to be widely available to older people and their carers in a variety of formats."

Phil Gray, of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said: "Falls prevention has been a major gap in the provision of health services for older people.

"With population projections suggesting a 43% increase in the number of people aged 65 and over by 2026, serious investment now needs to go into this area.

"The launch of the new NICE guidance represents a major step forward here."