April Falls
‘ Stand up to falls ’ is the theme of this year ’ s campaign aimed at reducing the number of inhospital falls that may result in a broken hip .
Falls cause serious harm particularly for older people , with the most common injury being a hip fracture . Of those who suffer a hip fracture nearly 20 % will die within a year ; almost half will require long-term care , and half will require help with daily living .
During the month a series of half hour presentations will be taking place in the Library Conference Centre at Tauranga Hospital . Contact : Fiona . Williams @ bopdhb . govt . nz for further information .
Thursday April 6th , 11.30am , 12.00pm , 12.30pm Presenter : Chrissie Russell , Physiotherapist Topic : Conditions that increase the risk of falls .
Thursday April 13th , 11.30am , 12.00pm , 12.30pm Presenter : Fay Matson , CNM HIA Topic : Falls risk and the cost .
Thursday April 20th , 11.30am , 12.00pm , 12.30pm Presenter : Riana Richardson , Pharmacist Topic : Pharmacology and falls .
Thursday April 27th , 11.30am , 12.00pm , 12.30pm Presenter : Chrissie Russell , Physiotherapist Topic : Gait and falls .
Falls – the facts
• This year , one-in-three people over 65 and onein-two over 80 will have a fall .
• The most serious injuries resulting from falls are fractures and head injuries , with hip fractures being the most common .
• Of those who suffer a hip fracture : - nearly 20 % will die within a year - almost half will require long-term care - half will require help with daily living
• Half of those who walked without help before fracturing a hip are no longer able to walk independently in the year following the fracture .
• The estimated cost of hip fracture resulting in a three-week stay in hospital is $ 47,000 . The estimated cost of a hip fracture with complications requiring admission to an aged care facility is $ 135,000 .
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