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root@trilcentre.org (Administrator) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:10:30 +0000

Watch the short animation narrated by TRIL Bill to learn more about the TRIL Centre.

Preventing falls in older people could save the economy up to €500 million per annum

keelin.murphy@trilcentre.org (Keelin Murphy) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000

PRESS RELEASE

Preventing falls in older people could save the economy up to €500 million per annum
The TRIL Centre with Get Ireland Active announces Falls Awareness Day, Thursday 4th October 2012.

27th September 2012 – One in three people over the age of 65 will fall every year in Ireland. Two-thirds of this group will fall again within six months, leading to risk of hospitalisation and significant health decline. As well as physical injuries suffered, the psychological and social consequences of falling can have a huge impact on the faller.

People who fall may suffer depression, anxiety, isolation and loss of independence. In addition a recent study by The Irish Centre for Social Gerontology showed that the cost to the economy of falls and fractures in older people is about €500 million annually. This includes costs associated with emergency department visits, hospital stays, GP and outpatient visits and long-term care.

To raise awareness of the importance of falls prevention, the TRIL Centre will demonstrate its technology at a stand in St. James's Hospital Dublin on Falls Awareness Day, Thursday 4th October, with support from the Falls and Black Out Unit (FABU) at the hospital. In addition the centre has created a webpage with information and links about falls awareness and prevention. www.trilcentre.org/fallsawareness2012.

Falls in older people can be prevented by increasing awareness of falls risks. The TRIL Centre is at the forefront of using novel sensor technology and algorithms to quantify risk of falling. This technology, the Falls Risk Assessment Suite, aims to improve accuracy in assessing falls risk and mobility, resulting in more targeted interventions. The technology suite has been developed on a mobile platform using wireless sensors; this model enables sophisticated falls risk assessment to be undertaken in the home or community.

Speaking about the need to predict risk of falling, Consultant Physician and Director of the Falls and Blackout Unit at St. James's Hospital, Professor Rose Anne Kenny, TRIL Principal Investigator for Falls Prevention and Professor of Geriatric Medicine in Trinity College Dublin said: "the EU has targeted falls prevention as one of its main priorities for health research in ageing. Falls become more common as we age and the consequences of falls, such as fractures, also increase. Unfortunately recurrent falls often result in admission to long term care. Therefore early detection of treatable conditions which cause falls can prevent these serious consequences. These new technologies provide such early detection."

Coinciding with Positive Ageing week, the message from the TRIL Centre and Get Active Ireland is Keep physically active. Exercise can help to improve your balance and your strength, if you are worried about falling contact your GP. Professor Kenny added: "Falls are very common in older people, however they are preventable. We have many treatments that can help people back to full health and independence, particularly if risk assessment and intervention is provided at an early stage."

ENDS

For more information please contact Keelin Murphy, TRIL Communications Manager, on 087-6689474.

Falls Awareness Day 2012

root@trilcentre.org (Administrator) — Tue, 24 May 2011 11:18:50 +0000

You don't have to be old to be at risk of falling - we have seen many models falling on the catwalk. However falls in older people can have life changing consequences

and older people are most likely to suffer serious injuries, disability, psychological consequences and death following a fall.

The risk of falling increases with age - one in three older people fall every year and two-thirds of them fall again within six months.

Falls and fractures in older people can be prevented.

The purpose of Falls Awareness Day 2012 is to highlight to everyone what can be done to prevent falls as we age.

Visit our information stand in St James's Hospital, Dublin on Thursday 4th October 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Find out more >>

Falls Awareness Day 2012 is an initiative of the TRIL Centre with support from Get Ireland Active.

Preventing Falls and Trips

Did you know...

The risk of falling increases with age. One third of adults over the age of 65 fall each year and two third of those fall again within 6 months¹.
Today Ireland has 480,000 (11%) people over the age of 65, which will increase to one million (18%) in 25 years time¹.
Every year 10% of all older people need treatment following an injury. Falls cause 75% of these injuries¹.
By 2032 there could be a doubling in the number of falls and fractures that occur if today's rates do not improve.
The consequences of falling can range from mild to very severe and may be physical and/or psychological or social in nature.
Physical consequences of falling include: injury, fracture (hip, arm, skull) , risk of subsequent falls, loss of mobility, accidents, self-neglect, and physical illness, traumatic brain injury and death.
Psychological and social consequences of falling include: fear of falling, depression, anxiety, isolation, impaired quality of life, loss of independence and institutionalisation.
Falls and fractures in older people can be prevented.

¹Health Service Executive, Ireland. Strategy to Prevent Falls and Fractures in Ireland's Ageing Population. June, 2008.

Falls can be prevented!

Keep active. Exercise can help your balance & strength.
Tips:

Adults over 65 should do at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week.
Wear comfortable clothing and good fitting sturdy shoes.
When exercising your breathing should feel faster, you should feel warm and experience light perspiration. You should be able to carry out a conversation, but not be able to sing!
Start with exercises you feel comfortable with such as walking. You can slowly increase the distance you walk.
Ask your doctor if you are unsure what activities or exercises are best for you.

More tips for reducing the risk of falling

Have your vision checked

Your eyesight changes as you get older. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling. Make sure you get your eye-sight checked on a regular basis.

Fall prevention - in each room

Floors

Arrange furniture so that you can easily move around all your rooms;
Keep the floors clear from papers and books etc. that could cause you to trip;
Remove rugs or use non-slip tape or backing so rugs will not slip;
Make sure wires or cords from lamps, telephones etc. do not trail where you walk.

Stairs and Steps

Fix loose or uneven steps;
Do not leave shoes or books on steps of stairs;
Have a light switch fitted at the top and bottom of the stairs. As you get older you need brighter lights to see well;
Install hand rails on both sides of the stairs; making sure they reach the top.
Learn more

Extracted from the leaflet prepared as part of the HSE's Keep well this Winter information campaign. More details.

News articles

Falls Awareness Day 2012 Information Stand

keelin.murphy@trilcentre.org (Keelin Murphy) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:06:19 +0000

The TRIL Centre with Get Ireland Active is holding a Falls Awareness Day on Thursday 4th October 2012 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be an information stand in St James's Hospital, Dublin and TRIL clinic staff and researchers will demonstrate the TRIL Centre's falls risk assessment suite.

More information about Falls Awareness Day.

CARDI launch: The role of technology in falls prevention for older people

keelin.murphy@trilcentre.org (Keelin Murphy) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:10:53 +0000

The findings from a CARDI-funded study into the use of video games to improve balance and prevent falls in older people will be launched on Wednesday 10 October at W5, Belfast. Among the speakers will be Dr Katie Sheehan, TRIL's chartered physiotherapist.

TRIL's Principal Investigtor for Perceputal Function, Prof Fiona Newell, was the co-PI on this project.

Read about the study

Collaborate with TRIL

root@trilcentre.org (Administrator) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:11:04 +0000

The TRIL team is interested in hearing from you, whether your interest is using TRIL technology for your own research, piloting new models of healthcare, joining the TRIL consortium, improving the lives of older people, or supporting research into independent living technology. Contact Us