Falls (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)
Introduction
"Falls and fall-related injuries are a common and serious problem for older people. People aged 65 and older have the highest risk of falling, with 30% of people older than 65 and 50% of people older than 80 falling at least once a year.
The human cost of falling includes distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence, loss of independence and mortality. Falling also affects the family members and carers of people who fall. Falls are estimated to cost the NHS more than £2.3 billion per year (College of Optometrists/British Geriatrics Society, 2011). Therefore falling has an impact on quality of life, health and healthcare costs. "(NICE, 2013)