Preventing Accidents to Older People

Background
Improved living standards, better healthcare, greater awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and taking regular exercise have led to more and more people enjoying life into their 80s and 90s¹. However older people, in particular the frail elderly, are one of the groups of our population most vulnerable to accidents, particularly in and around the home. Please click on the links below for further information on your area of interest:

Every year around one in eight of those attending hospital following a home accident are aged 65 and over. In 1999 an estimated 315, 000 people aged over 75 years of age attended A & E as a result of a home accident². The majority of accidents in the older age groups also involve females rather than males (largely because females live longer).

Many of the fatal and non-fatal accidents to older people are attributable wholly or in part to frailty and failing health. This can lead to failure or slowness to see and avoid risks. By drawing the attention of older people and their carers to danger spots and unsafe habits then accidents can be reduced.

1 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. Our Healthier Nation: a contract for health. Consultation Paper. London: The Stationery Office, 1998
2 DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. Home accident surveillance system: 20 th annual report. London: DTI, 2000

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