opinion: why fall preparation is key for patients, caregivers and the health system
statistics show that the risk for falls increases as people age, with a staggering 1.1 million older adults in canada experiencing a fall each year.
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while medical alert systems cannot prevent falls, they can significantly assist patients in getting timely help and potentially avoiding complications.
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with nearly 81 per cent of canadians over 65 saying they would prefer to age in their home, being prepared for falls and knowing how to act quickly and efficiently should one occur is increasingly important. falls can lead to serious injuries and negatively impact overall well-being, and research shows that 52 per cent of falls resulting in hospitalization actually take place in the home. by focusing on prevention and response strategies, older adults can feel empowered to age in place while maintaining their independence and quality of life.
statistics show that the risk for falls increases as people age, with a staggering 1.1 million older adults in canada experiencing a fall each year, 17.1 per cent of those aged 65 and above. the arrival of winter exacerbates this risk, as 18 per cent of all falls occur on icy or snowy surfaces. the initial point of care for these incidents often overwhelms local emergency departments.
impact of a fall
given a multitude of circumstances, many of the people who experience a fall don’t receive quick help, exacerbating potential complications. one study published in the british medical journal found that 82 per cent of falls occurred when an individual was alone, and 30 per cent lied on the floor for an hour or more. beyond the physical impacts, falls can have significant mental health repercussions, leading to fear of performing regular day-to-day tasks, loss of autonomy and isolation, and depression.
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on top of the negative health consequences, falls also have significant cost impacts, primarily from hospitalization. according to data from the discharge abstract database (dad), the number of fall-related hospitalizations (frhs) of people aged 65 or older in canada rose from 49,152 to 72,392 between 2010 and 2020.when in hospital, the average length of stay (los) in acute care was nearly five days longer than the average for all causes, ranging from 13 to 15 days. the cost to canada’s healthcare system for frhs within that age group is estimated at $5.6 billion annually. by reducing fall-related hospital stays and associated healthcare costs, we can free up limited resources to address other healthcare needs.
sparking the discussion
while it’s impossible to eliminate all risks of falls, there are proactive measures individuals can incorporate into their daily lives to better prepare for such incidents. this is where the utilization of medical alert systems can come into play.
these wearable communications tools provide older individuals with access to emergency response operators during times of crisis and may significantly improve health outcomes.
opportunities for conversations between older patients and their physicians regarding fall detection technology are often missed. only 11 percent of discussions between clinicians and patients mention technological options like medical alert systems. when asked why they didn’t bring up medical alert systems without prompting from their patients, 89 percent of clinicians said they didn’t know enough about the technology. closing this knowledge gap represents an opportunity for better health outcomes for our patients.
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recognizing the critical role that caregivers play in the lives of older individuals, there is a significant opportunity to actively involve them as allies in adopting assistive technology. current statistics show that only 21 per cent of conversations regarding medical alert systems involve both adult children and the parents they assist, while 64 per cent of these discussions are solely with the elderly patient. when caregivers are properly engaged, they can serve as excellent ambassadors and facilitate discussions that may not have otherwise taken place.
while medical alert systems cannot prevent falls, they can significantly assist patients in getting timely help and potentially avoiding complications. both patients and caregivers can benefit from the peace of mind that these technologies offer.
the next steps
healthcare professionals have an essential role to play in sparking discussions with patients and their caregivers about assistive technologies. information is readily available – whether it be through enhanced continuing medical education (cme) programs related to aging-in-place that can better equip them with the details they need for their patients or via the dedicated work of organizations like toronto metropolitan university’s national institute on ageing and quebec’s institut universitaire de gériatrie de montréal (iugm).
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the role that fall detection can play in enhancing the safety, health and independence of older adults is an important one. together, we can normalize discussions about technology to support canada’s older generation in aging in place safely and independently.
dr. keir peterson is a former emergency physician and current chief medical officer for telus health. he is based in vancouver, british columbia.
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