Falls Injury Prevention

Around one third of older people fall each year. Of those hospitalised with a fracture resulting from a fall, less than half are able to return home to their normal life. Hunter New England Population Health aims to maximise independence in our older community by reducing these falls injuries.

Balance training is an essential element of exercising for people aged 50 and over. High level balance exercises such as Tai Chi and other gentle exercises which challenge balance are effective in preventing fall injury and have many other associated benefits such as increased mobility and confidence.  For details of classes designed specifically for the over 50s take a look at the Active Living: Physical Programs for the Over 50s.NSW Policy

• Fall Injury Among Older People - Management Policy to Reduce in NSW Health

HNE Health's Work in this Area

• HNE Health Implementation Plan July 2007 – June 2010 (pdf) 1,460Kb
• HNE Health Committee Structure for Falls Injury Prevention (pdf) 35Kb
• HNE Health Schedule of Area Meetings – Falls Injury Prevention 2009 (pdf) 106Kb
• Acute/Subacute Working Party Work Plan July 2007 – June 2010 (pdf) 656Kb
• Community Work Plan 2008 (pdf) 642Kb
• Residential Aged Care Work Plan 2008 (pdf) 668Kb
• Active Over 50: Physical Activity Programs for Older People

HNE Health News Letters

• April 2009 (pdf) 292Kb
• November 2008 (pdf) 956Kb
• June 2008 (pdf) 108Kb

HNE Health Past Projects

• Rural Falls Injury Prevention Program: Report of Intervention and Outcomes (pdf) 9.6Mb
• Lifeball
• Lifeball Evaluation Trial

HNE Health Presentations and Papers

• Incident of falls and fall-related outcomes among people in aged-facilities on the Lower Hunter region, NSW  (pdf) 138Kb
• Research Papers

Today's Date: 26/11/2009