Fall prevention
The number of people who fall over the age of 65 years is increasing, and fall-related injury represents the single largest cause of hospital presentations. No other single cause of injury, including road trauma, costs the health system more than falls. In NSW each year, falls lead to approximately 41,000 hospitalisations and more than 1,200 deaths (2021).
More than one in three people aged 65 or over fall at least once a year and many fall more often, which can impact on wellbeing and lifestyle. Falls are even more common among residents of aged care facilities and the number of falls-related incidents in hospital are high.
There has been extensive research demonstrating that many falls among older people can be prevented.
Fall Prevention in NSW White Paper 2023
The CEC has released the Fall Prevention in NSW White Paper 2023 which highlights the high cost and trauma of falls for individuals and the community and gives examples of local solutions already being undertaken around NSW. It also provides nine recommendations for policy makers, stakeholders and governments to consider and respond to.
NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network
The CEC also provides leadership for the NSW Falls Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network, in order to disseminate and promote research, share falls prevention and healthy ageing knowledge, expertise and resources through forums and meetings.
