Launch of first State-wide falls prevention program for seniors

6/11/98

Falls are the leading injury-related cause of hospitalisation and death of Western Australians over the age of 70 years, according to Health Minister John Day.

Mr Day revealed the statistics at the launch of Western Australia's first State-wide falls prevention program for seniors. The program was officially launched today by the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency Michael Jeffery.

"Seventy Western Australians over the age of 70 die each year from fall-related injuries and more than 3,000 seniors are hospitalised," the Minister said.

"Fortunately, injury is preventable and many opportunities exist to reduce the risk of falls by our senior citizens."

The five-year program Stay on Your Feet - WA will address many of the risk factors for falls, including: hazards in public and home environments, balance and walking patterns, medications, vision problems, and chronic health conditions.

Mr Day said the new program was based on a successful New South Wales program, which reduced falls and fall-related injuries in seniors by 20 per cent.

In WA nearly 30 per cent of people over the age of 70 fall each year and one in 10 of these falls result in injury.

Mr Day said given those statistics, the WA program was a very positive initiative in helping to prevent seniors and their families suffering unnecessary anguish and grief and it allowed health funding to be redirected to other areas.

"In 1995 alone, more than 30,000 hospital bed days throughout Australia were occupied by people with a fall-related injury, which equates to 84 hospital beds at any given time," he said.

"It has been estimated that injuries, a significant number of which are falls among seniors, cost the Australian public more than $2.6 billion in 1994."

The Stay on Your Feet - WA program will address the issues of falls prevention, medications, safe environments, physical activity and chronic conditions, respectively, over the next five years.

Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6600