What works to prevent accidential injury amongst older people (Report to the Health Development Agency)

Over 50% of accidental injury deaths, and over 60% of serious accidental injury, occur in people aged 65 and over. Older people have a higher risk of accidental injury resulting in hospitalisation or death than any other age group. Falls (62%), traffic accidents - RTAs (13%) and fire and flames (3%) are the causes of the highest rates of accidental injury mortality amongst older people. Falls are the most important cause beyond age 75, and are by far the most important cause for people aged 85 and over, with 78% of accidental injury deaths recorded as falls. Falls (71%) are also the leading cause of serious accidental injury (resulting in admission to hospital for 4 or more days) amongst people aged 65 and over. RTAs account for 2% of serious accidental injury admissions for people aged 65 and over. Excluding medical and surgery-related injury, other external causes are responsible for less that 2% of admissions.

Almost half the deaths from injuries (and the majority of non-fatal accidental injuries) in people aged 65 and over occur in the home, over a quarter on the street or highway and almost a fifth in residential institutions. The proportion of injury deaths, as well as accidental injury requiring medical care, occurring in the home or residential accommodation increases with age.

Fracture was the diagnosis given in around 40% of injury deaths, and over half of injury admissions; the most commonly recorded injury was fracture of the lower limbs.

Priorities for the prevention of accidental injury amongst older people include falls and osteoporotic fracture, road traffic accidents, and domestic fires.