Falls Awareness Week exists because most falls can be prevented with the right awareness.
Falls are not inevitable, but we must all take simple steps to ensure we are not at risk. Falls Awareness Week is about helping people see the risks so that they can take action. So, please share with your friends and family the resources below, as well as our top tips for reducing the risks.
Did you know?
- Older fallers are amongst the top three reasons why an ambulance is called.
- If you’ve fallen once, you are 50% more likely to fall again, with an escalating risk of injury.
- A ‘long lie’ of 12 hours or more can seriously affect a person’s recovery from a fall.
Public Health Wales indicate that, annually up to 2026:
- 132,000 older people will fall more than once in their own home
- 8,100 will suffer a serious injury and end up in hospital
- 3,000 will need a hip replacement
- 1,500 will lose their independence in the 12 months following a fall
- 700 will sadly die within 12 months of having a fall
If we talk together about falls, we can reduce the chances of falling.
