Falls Links
November 2024 | Issue 9 |
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Welcome to the November 2024 issue of our newsletter |
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IN THIS ISSUE -
Latest Mini-Review - Pets: Fall for them, not due to them
- Save the Date! 2025 Annual Falls Forum
Research Highlights - Stepping On Updates
- Outpatient public/private clinics and community teams wanted for physical activity study
- Upcoming Events
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The NSW Falls Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network team has composed several short reviews on specific topics. The latest review looks at the benefits of pet ownership and potential risks to falls. The following points are discussed: -
Pet ownership offers numerous health benefits to older people, promoting physical activity, improving mental health and increasing social engagement
- Although uncommon, falls in older people who own pets can lead to injuries including fractures
- Behaviour training for pets and managing environmental hazards can help to reduce pet-related fall risk whilst allowing older people to enjoy the benefits of pet ownership
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SAVE THE DATE! 2025 ANNUAL FORUM |
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NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network 2025 Annual Fall Forum Friday May 2nd, 2025
Wesley Conference Centre, Sydney
The NSW Fall Prevention & Healthy Ageing Network Annual Forum provides a fantastic opportunity to come together and learn about the latest on fall prevention and healthy ageing. Listen to experts in their field provide an overview of the latest research, advocacy, quality improvement and fall prevention in residential aged care and hospital, and community program initiatives. This forum also provides a fabulous opportunity to network, exchanges ideas and learn from each other.
Revisit the 2024 Annual Forum here. |
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Two simple modifications to the World Falls Guidelines algorithm improves its ability to stratify older people into low, intermediate and high fall risk groups
Hicks C, Menant J, Delbaere K, Sturnieks DL, Brodaty H, Sachdev PS, Lord SR. Age Ageing. 2024 Oct 1;53(10):afae192.
DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae192
Abstract
Background: We conducted a secondary analysis of a cohort study to examine the World Falls Guidelines algorithm's ability to stratify older people into sizable fall risk groups or whether minor modifications were necessary to achieve this.
Methods: Six hundred and ninety-three community-living people aged 70-90 years (52.4% women) were stratified into low, intermediate and high fall risk groups using the original algorithm and a modified algorithm applying broader Timed Up and Go test screening with a >10-s cut point (originally >15 s). Prospective fall rates and physical and neuropsychological performance among the three groups were compared.
Results: The original algorithm was not able to identify three sizable groups, i.e. only five participants (0.7%) were classified as intermediate risk. The modified algorithm classified 349 participants (50.3%) as low risk, 127 participants (18.3%) as intermediate risk and 217 participants (31.3%) as high risk. The sizable intermediate-risk group had physical and neuropsychological characteristics similar to the high-risk group, but a fall rate similar to the low-risk group. The high-risk group had a significantly higher rate of falls than both the low- [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 2.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.99-3.20] and intermediate-risk groups (IRR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.58-3.03).
Conclusion: A modified algorithm stratified older people into three sizable fall risk groups including an intermediate group who may be at risk of transitioning to high fall rates in the medium to long term. These simple modifications may assist in better triaging older people to appropriate and tailored fall prevention interventions. Read more here |
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Stepping On Update - November Training Day |
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Only a few places left for the Stepping On training day in November!
For more details or enquiries, visit the Stepping On website:
www.steppingon.com/contact-us/ A copy of the Stepping On training flyer is attached. |
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Outpatient public/private clinics and community teams wanted for physical activity study |
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What’s the study about?
The PROMOTE-PA trial is investigating the impact of physical activity promotion delivered by health professionals. We are interested in whether physical activity promotion helps children and adults with disability, and older adults, to be more active.
Who can join the study?
The PROMOTE-PA trial is NOW recruiting outpatient clinics in paediatric and adult settings across NSW.
What does the study involve?
Clinical teams will be recruited and randomly allocated to either the ‘early support group’ to receive support to promote physical activity immediately, or the ‘delayed support group’ (to receive support after recruiting patients). Examples of support include online learning resources, a searchable online physical activity directory, and health coaching training. Each clinical team will be asked to recruit ~20 patients. Patients will complete surveys at baseline, 3-months and 6-months.
Who to contact!
Contact Kate and Jennifer at promote-pa.study@sydney.edu.au for more information.
This study has been approved by the Ethics Review Committee (RPA Zone) of the Sydney Local Health District. Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of this study should contact the Executive Officer on 02 9515 6766 and quote protocol number X23-0197. |
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Binational Hip Fest 2024 14 - 15 November 2024, Rydges World Square, Sydney, Australia NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Annual Forum 2025
2 May 2025, Wesley Conference Centre, Sydney, Australia
International Society of Posture and Gait Research World Congress 2025
29 June - 3 July 2025, Maastricht Exhibition & Conference Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research
12th - 14th March 2025, Toulouse, France
Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand 8th Annual Scientific Meeting 20-23 July 2025, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand
11th Biennial Australia & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society Conference
23 - 25 November 2025, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel, Sydney, Australia
3rd World Falls Congress, hosted by British Geriatric Society in association with the World Falls Prevention Society and EU Falls Fest Group 24 - 26 June 2026, Manchester, UK |
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Our vision is to lead the way in fall prevention and other healthy ageing initiatives by harnessing expert knowledge and being collaborative in all we do.
We work closely with researchers, policy makers, health practitioners and community service providers in the development and promotion of healthy ageing services and programs with a focus on preventing falls and fall-related injury.
Our purpose is to support practitioners to improve the lives of older Australians through healthy ageing initiatives with a focus on preventing falls and fall-related injuries. |
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Do you have any news on Falls Prevention or healthy ageing that you want to share with others on the network, or report on a project that is happening in your area. We also welcome suggestions for articles and information you would like to see in this newsletter. Send your news and suggestions to: fallsnetwork@neura.edu.au
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Contact Us: Telephone +61 2 9399 1063
Email fallsnetwork@neura.edu.au
Our mailing address is:
NSW Falls Prevention Network
Neuroscience Research Australia
PO Box 1165
Randwick NSW 2031
Copyright © NSW Falls Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network |
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