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| Elderly people 'staying at home for fear of falling' | Elderly people 'staying at home for fear of falling' |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| A fear of falling is making many elderly people prisoners in their own homes, a survey has suggested. | A fear of falling is making many elderly people prisoners in their own homes, a survey has suggested. |
| More than one in five of the 500 people aged 75 and older, interviewed by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service charity, lived in fear of falling. | More than one in five of the 500 people aged 75 and older, interviewed by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service charity, lived in fear of falling. |
| And 5% are so fearful that they will not leave their homes unaccompanied, the report found. | And 5% are so fearful that they will not leave their homes unaccompanied, the report found. |
| A third of them had suffered falls in recent years and a fifth of these said they had lost confidence as a result. | A third of them had suffered falls in recent years and a fifth of these said they had lost confidence as a result. |
| Many said they were especially worried during winter months. | Many said they were especially worried during winter months. |
| 'Bleak' findings | 'Bleak' findings |
| A quarter said poor street conditions - poor lighting and uneven pavements - made them feel less confident about leaving the house. | A quarter said poor street conditions - poor lighting and uneven pavements - made them feel less confident about leaving the house. |
| David McCullough, chief executive of the WRVS, said: "These are bleak findings. | David McCullough, chief executive of the WRVS, said: "These are bleak findings. |
| "With winter approaching, older people have little confidence to get out and about because they fear they will fall and, as this research shows, the psychological effects of worrying about a fall can be as debilitating and devastating as physical injuries." | "With winter approaching, older people have little confidence to get out and about because they fear they will fall and, as this research shows, the psychological effects of worrying about a fall can be as debilitating and devastating as physical injuries." |
| Every year in the UK nearly three-quarters of a million people aged over 60 end up in the local A&E department after a fall, and one in three of these will end up staying in hospital because of their injuries. | Every year in the UK nearly three-quarters of a million people aged over 60 end up in the local A&E department after a fall, and one in three of these will end up staying in hospital because of their injuries. |
| Figures show around a third of adults who are over 65 and living at home will experience at least one fall a year. This rises to half of adults over 80 who are either at home or in residential care. | Figures show around a third of adults who are over 65 and living at home will experience at least one fall a year. This rises to half of adults over 80 who are either at home or in residential care. |
| 'Not inevitable' | 'Not inevitable' |
| In 2009 in England and Wales, there were 3,593 deaths as a result of falls. | In 2009 in England and Wales, there were 3,593 deaths as a result of falls. |
| Making small changes at home, such as using non-slip rugs and mats and ensuring that rooms are clutter-free and well lit, can help prevent falls. | Making small changes at home, such as using non-slip rugs and mats and ensuring that rooms are clutter-free and well lit, can help prevent falls. |
| Michelle Mitchell, of the charity Age UK, said: "At their worst falls can be the cause of death, but falls are not an inevitable part of ageing - many falls can be prevented and there is much that can be done to help people who have fallen not to fall again." | Michelle Mitchell, of the charity Age UK, said: "At their worst falls can be the cause of death, but falls are not an inevitable part of ageing - many falls can be prevented and there is much that can be done to help people who have fallen not to fall again." |