Every year, more than 200,000 people in Wales will have a fall, with many suffering distress, serious injury and a loss of self-confidence and independence.
Falls and related injuries are common and drive demand for urgent and emergency care. They are the greatest cause of incidents within NHS Wales and nationally, falls are the second leading factor in accidents around the home.
Recent figures show 30 per cent of people aged 65 and over will suffer at least one fall a year. This figure climbs to 50 per cent for the over 80s.
Yet many falls are preventable and today, as part of a Steady on, stay safe falls prevention campaign, we outline three simple questions to ask regularly - of ourselves, our patients, families and friends - to ensure more people avoid the life-changing consequences of having a fall.
Suggested by Wales’ national falls prevention team, the questions are particular relevant to the over 60s and anyone at greater risk of falling:
Asking these questions could open conversations and get people the right support at the right time.
“The impact of a fall on an individual can go far beyond something smile like a bumped knee. It can result in a lack of confidence, many then stopping activities or getting out, and as a consequence become weaker, leading to further falls,” said Swansea Bay’s quality improvement lead for falls, Eleri D’Arcy.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting some of the simple changes and choices, almost of all of which don’t cost a penny, which can help significantly reduce the risk of fall. We’ll also show you the hazards around the home or place of residence which present avoidable risks.
For more support and advice, please refer to the links below:
Follow this link to access falls prevention information on the Age Cymru website.
Follow this link to find more tips about preventing falls on the Care & Repair Cymru website.
Follow this link to read more about preventing falls on the Age Connects Wales website.
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.