Preventing Falls: Expert Strategies
Every day, more than 400 older Australians end up in the hospital due to falls, and tragically, 17 people lose their lives. This alarming statistic highlights a major health crisis that costs the Australian health system over $3 billion annually. April, known as Falls Month, focuses on increasing awareness and discussing preventive measures.
Falls are preventable, and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) is at the forefront of researching effective prevention strategies. Their Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre (FBIRC) is a global leader in understanding human balance, fall risk factors, and prevention strategies for older individuals. NeuRA is a Sydney-based, independent, not-for-profit research institute dedicated to preventing and treating brain and nervous system disorders through medical research.
Effective Approaches to Prevent Falls
Professor Stephen Lord, Director of the Centre, alongside Clinical Director Professor Jacqueline Close and Director of Innovation and Translation Professor Kim Delbaere, provide valuable insights into fall prevention. They emphasise the importance of improving balance and understanding individual risk factors.
Falls Month encourages discussions about fall risks and prevention strategies. These include innovations in digital health, which can be integral to a comprehensive falls prevention program, and improving care for individuals who experience hip fractures. NeuRA’s experts are available to speak on these topics.
Experts offer practical tips for older adults to reduce their fall risk. These include engaging in regular exercise to enhance strength and balance, reviewing medications with healthcare providers, and making necessary home modifications to eliminate hazards.
Healthcare professionals can support their clients by conducting regular balance assessments and providing tailored exercise programs. NeuRA’s experts are ready to discuss these strategies in more depth.
For more detailed information on falls prevention efforts and research, contact Katana Smith, Senior Media and PR Advisor at NeuRA. She can provide further insights into the groundbreaking work being conducted at the institute.
