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Falls in later life: a huge concern for older people

Published on 25 May 2019 12:00 AM

A survey commissioned by Age UK has found that millions of older people are worried about falling over, with 4.3 million (36%) saying it topped their list of concerns .

According to data released by NHS Digital nearly 100,000 older people (aged 65+) suffered hip fractures in 2017/18 .

Falls contribute significantly to hip fractures in older people, many of which are preventable, and they have serious consequences for older people. Falls are the most common cause of injury related deaths in people over the age of 75 with over 5,000 older people dying as a result of a fall in 2017, a 70% increase on the numbers in 2010.

Women account for more than two-thirds of hip fractures and the survey found older women are significantly more likely to say falling was a concern, compared to older men (45% vs 26%, respectively) . Moreover, it was older people living on their own who were most worried about falling.

Preventing falls and hip fractures should be a top priority for the Government as treating hip fractures comes at a vast cost to NHS Health and Social Care, estimated at around £1 billion annually . Older people may remain in hospital for a number of weeks as a result of a fall, and at any one time older people recovering from hip fracture require over 3,600 hospital beds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Hip fractures are also the most common reason for older people needing emergency anaesthesia and surgery, and the most common cause of accidental death .

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: "Falls are a serious threat to older people's health, wellbeing and independence, causing pain, distress and loss of confidence. However, despite having serious consequences, falls in later life are often dismissed as an inevitable part of growing older, when the reality is many of them are preventable.

"We should have effective services in all areas to help people to avoid having a fall in the first place and to support those who have fallen and prevent it from happening again. However, the quality of falls prevention services still varies a great deal from place to place so we welcome the commitments in the NHS Long Term Plan to invest in 'ageing well' and to put more preventative services and support in place".

In addition to support from these preventative services, there are also a number of straightforward things people can do themselves to improve balance and strength - from keeping active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to looking after foot health.

Age UK is urging people to consider these five simple actions to help prevent falls including:

• Exercise to improve balance As we get older, our muscle strength and balance reduces, which can lead to a fall. Exercises designed to improve muscle strength and balance can reduce your risk of a fall by maintaining strong muscles and bones, which in turn will help your balance.

• Review medicines to ensure they are up to date Certain medications or combinations of medicines can make you feel faint or dizzy and affect your balance.

Let your GP know if you experience side effects like these after taking any medication; they may need to check the dose or look at alternatives.

• Have regular eye sight and hearing checks Eyesight changes as we age and can lead to a trip or loss of balance. Some eye conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts increase with age and it's important that these are detected at an early stage. Get your eyes and glasses checked regularly, at least every two years to detect any vision problems early.

Problems with your ears can severely affect your balance, and the risk of hearing loss increases with age. Talk with your GP if you notice hearing changes are affecting your day-to-day living or social life. The problem may be something easily treated, such as a build-up of ear wax or an ear infection.

• Check homes for trip hazards Many slips, trips and falls happen in or around the home. Keeping an eye out for potential hazards can make your home a safer place.

Although some of these points may seem obvious, it's easy to overlook them. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/fitness/falls-prevention/

• Choose the right shoes Make sure your shoes (and slippers) fit well and don't have a tendency to slip off. Problems with your feet or shoes can affect your balance and increase your risk of tripping or falling. Talk to your GP, practice nurse and podiatrist about any foot issues.

How everyone can help

Make time for older relatives, friends and neighbours and help them by checking homes for trip hazards, and keeping driveways and pathways clear of slippery surfaces like moss.

Provide help with fixing any problems in the home that may make older people more likely to fall.

Find out how to make homes fall proof here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/fitness/falls-prevention/

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Last updated: Dec 01 2023

Notes to editors:

For more information or to arrange a media briefing, please contact the Age UK press office via media@ageuk.org.uk

*Additional ambassador quotes:

Dame Joanna Lumley, Age UK ambassador, said: “Christmas is a time for celebrations and being together with the ones you love, but what if you don’t have anybody – what if they’re no longer here, or if they live far away? Sadly, it’s not all fun and laughter for everyone; it can be an extremely lonely time for many older people who will be spending the festive period completely alone.

“Knowing that Age UK is there to help, with its Advice Line and Silver Line Helpline open every single day of the year – including Christmas Day – is a reason for rejoicing, and it would be really wonderful if we all give what we can to support these important services. Your kindness really could make someone’s Christmas.”

Dame Judi Dench, Age UK ambassador, said: “To think that there are older people who will be completely alone this Christmas, with nobody to pull a cracker with or exchange presents with breaks my heart. There are so many older people who have nobody to speak to over the festive period and spend each day on their own, which is why I’m supporting Age UK’s Christmas campaign.

“I’m asking everyone who can to donate to Age UK so they can continue to provide their friendship services which will help older people who have nobody else feel less lonely this Christmas.”

** The Silver Line celebrated its 10th anniversary in November 2023.

Research

Yonder conducted an online and telephone survey on behalf of Age UK. A sample of 2,594 UK adults aged 65+ were surveyed between 14th and 27th October 2023, as well as an online sample of 2,374 UK adults aged 18-35 who were surveyed between 18th and 27th October 2023. Responses were weighted to be representative of the population of the UK. Targets for quotas and weights were taken from the PAMCO survey, a random probability survey conducted annually with 35,000 adults. Yonder is a founding member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. For further information see http://www.britishpollingcouncil.org/ 

[i] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 18.29% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘I wish I had someone to spend time with at Christmas’ which equates to 2,291,152 people (18.29% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[ii] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 13.38% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘Christmas Day is the hardest day of the year’ which equates to 1,676,685 people (13.38% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[iii] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 10.65% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘I will feel lonely this Christmas’ which equates to 1,333,727 people (10.65% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[iv] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 34.03% of people aged 65 & over in the UK selected ‘It brings up memories of my loved one who has passed away’ when asked the question ‘Which, if any, of the following makes Christmas a hard time of year for you?’, which equates to 4,267,925 people (34.03% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[v] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 8.19% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘The cost of living crisis is going to isolate me this Christmas more than ever before’ which equates to 1,028,875 people (8.19% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[vi] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 10.66% of people aged 65 & over in the UK selected ‘It’s too expensive to celebrate Christmas’ when asked the question ‘Which, if any, of the following makes Christmas a hard time of year for you?’, which equates to 1,338,490 people (10.66% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[vii] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 5.97% of people aged 65 & over in the UK selected ‘It feels isolating with shops and services being closed’ when asked the question ‘Which, if any, of the following makes Christmas a hard time of year for you?’, which equates to 747,840 people (5.97% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[viii] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 11.14% of people aged 65 & over in the UK ‘slightly agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement ‘I feel more isolated at Christmas than any other time of year’ which equates to 1,395,650 people (11.14% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[ix] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2521 people aged 18-35 in the UK, between 18th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 54% of people aged 18-35 in the UK selected ‘Forgotten’ when asked the question ‘Imagine that you are older (aged 65+) and you are on your own on at Christmas, with no friends and family to spend it with, nobody to exchange gifts with, and no one to speak to. How would that make you feel?’, which equates to 8,428,926 people (54% multiplied by 15,476,564). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[x] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2521 people aged 18-35 in the UK, between 18th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 37% of people aged 18-35 in the UK selected ‘It makes me dread getting older’ when asked the question ‘Imagine that you are older (aged 65+) and you are on your own on at Christmas, with no friends and family to spend it with, nobody to exchange gifts with, and no one to speak to. How would that make you feel?’, which equates to 5,690,906 people (37% multiplied by 15,476,564). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[xi] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 24.34% of people aged 65 & over in the UK selected ‘A phone call or a visit from a loved one/friend/neighbour’ when asked the question ‘What would make Christmas easier for you?’, which equates to 3,053,281 people (24.34% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

[xii] Age UK calculation based on data (weighted to be representative of the UK population) from Yonder online and telephone omnibus research polling for Age UK, November 2023 (weighted sample of 2632 people aged 65+ in the UK, between 14th and 27th October 2023) and ONS mid-year 2021 population estimates (published 21st December 2022). 23.01% of people aged 65 & over in the UK selected ‘Taking part in a festive activity with others e.g. Christmas lunch’ when asked the question ‘What would make Christmas easier for you?’, which equates to 2,886,566 people (23.01% multiplied by 12,537,031). Figures may differ due to rounding.

National Institute for Health Care Excellence says that people aged 65 and over are most at risk of falling and suffering the most severe injuries, with 30% of people who are older than 65, and 50% of people older than 80, are falling at least once a year. Source

In 2016, 72% of people aged 60 and over with hip fracture received surgery on the day of, or the day after, admission. This is down from a high of 75.2% in 2014, falling again in 2015 and then 2016. Source

Hip fracture represents the most serious fall related injury. Source

Filming at exercise classes at local Age UKs in London available on request – contact details above.

Age UK

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances.  We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and wellbeing, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group (“we”).  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity’s trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

(1) Approx. 4,343,000 people aged 65+ (36 per cent). Kantar TNS F2F Omnibus Research polling for Age UK, Nov-Dec 2018 – sample of 1,917 people aged 65+ in the UK. Figures extrapolated to national population using latest ONS Population Estimates (Mid-Year Estimates, 2017). Source

(2) According to the ONS the total size of 65+ UK population is 11,989,322. The actual number of people aged 65+ who suffered a hip fracture is 105,471.

NHS data (xlsx)

Hosptial Admitted Patient Care Activity, 2017-18 (NHS)

(3) Older adult hip fractures account for 1.4 million bed days a year.

(4) On average the length of stay in a hospital bed for older people who have suffered a hip fracture equates to 20.0 bed days. Source

(5) NHS. (2018), Falls: Overview. Accessed via ONS. (2018), ONS. Death Registrations Summary Statistics, England and Wales in 2016, Table 2. Office for National Statistics, 2017. Source

(6) 2,887 (45 per cent) of women aged 65+ and 1,456 (26 per cent) of older men aged 65+ said falling on slippery roads or pavements was a concern. Kantar TNS F2F Omnibus Research polling for Age UK, Nov-Dec 2018 – sample of 1,917 people aged 65+ in the UK. Figures extrapolated to national population using latest ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates (2017) Accessible via: Source

(7) 41 per cent of older people living on their own compared with 34 per cent, 21 per cent and 14 per cent of older people living in two, three and four+ person households respectively, said falling on slippery roads or pavements was a concern. Kantar TNS F2F Omnibus Research polling for Age UK, Nov-Dec 2018 – sample of 1,917 people aged 65+ in the UK. Figures extrapolated to national population using latest ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates (2017), Accessible via ONS 

(8) National Hip Fracture Database. (2017), NHFD Annual Report: Accessed 25/02/2019 via: source 1 and source 2

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