Fatal falls in Northern Ireland more than double in a decade
The number of people who have died as the result of a fall in Northern Ireland more than doubled over a 10-year period, according to official statistics. There were 378 fatal falls in 2022, compared to 178 deaths a decade earlier in 2013. That is an increase of 113%, a rise which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) described as "truly shocking".Its research manager, James Broun, said RoSPA is "fully expecting this trend to continue rising if we don't start seeing the right prevention measures".
Mr Broun said falls "can affect all age groups" but older people are at more risk of death from a slip or trip."That's typically because they are more susceptible to falling and when they do fall they often suffer more serious injuries," he explained.Death statistics from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) show 90% of fall fatalities in 2022 were people aged over 65.
Fall 'really set me back'
But even if you survive a serious fall, the consequences can be life changing. Daphne Hegarty, 82, broke her hip in a fall in 2020 and has never fully recovered. The Portadown pensioner was touring a castle in the Republic of Ireland when the accident happened."My leg just went from underneath me and I fell, and where I fell it went down into a hollow so I couldn't really get up."She was taken to hospital in Waterford, but because the first Covid lockdown began shortly afterwards, she had to spend nearly six weeks there without family visitors. "I was isolated away to a ward on my own so I didn't see anyone."Having had serious heart issues since childhood, Ms Hegarty is well used to recovering from major surgery, but said that fall changed her life "completely".
"It really set me back, because I used to be able – in my own time – potter around the house and do a wee bit of gardening," she said. "But whenever I broke the hip I was completely off my feet for about six months."Half a decade later, the pensioner still feels the effects. "I haven't the same movement in my leg," she explained. "I used to love to just sit on a stool and potter in the garden but now I'm restricted – I can't get down to get close."Despite the complications the fall caused, Ms Hegarty knows she must stay active. "I do exercises every day at home. Just like armchair exercises – keep bending my knees and lifting my feet up and moving my legs."I always have done that because I always tried to keep myself limbered up."
A legacy of lockdowns?
So why are fatal falls becoming more common?"To be honest, it's a complex question and we're not sure we have a really simple answer," Mr Broun admitted. But he insisted the rise cannot be explained solely by the fact people are generally living longer. "The population is aging, but the population hasn't aged by the same degree that falls have increased."Mr Broun added it is a known fact that "inequality and deprivation are linked to poor health outcomes". "People who are suffering from other health problems may in turn have worse outcomes when they fall."Mr Broun said there is also "anecdotal evidence" that Covid lockdowns may have exacerbated fall risks among vulnerable people."They were staying in their house so they were losing some of their core strength by not exercising as much," he explained.However, he stressed the increase "isn't just a blip as a result of Covid" because fall deaths were on the rise before the pandemic. Most fatal falls happen at home, according to RoSPA.Among the measures it is campaigning for are changes to building regulations, including safer staircase designs.
Exercise can reduce risk of falling
However, falling "doesn't have to be an inevitable part of getting older," according to Chris McKenna from Belfast Health Trust's Community Falls Prevention and Management Service.The physiotherapist runs weekly strength and balance classes for over 65s in Andersonstown - one of six such classes across Belfast.Mr McKenna said these classes "really empower" older people to keep their independence."We tell people it's never too late to start exercising."The team also provides home visits, which Chris calls a "one-stop shop" of fall prevention.The checks include blood pressure monitoring and checking medications for side effects that could make a patient unsteady on their feet. They also assess the person's footwear, their gait and inspect their home for trip hazards.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) leads fall prevention efforts in Northern Ireland.It said free home safety checks "are available for over 65s, families with children under five, and those who are vulnerable," subject to assessment and availabilty.Its website also lists 10 tips to help prevent a fall at home.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Threat to wild salmon as sea lice show resistance to chemical used to protect fish
The threat to wild salmon from sea lice could be worse than feared as a new study shows the parasite is building up resistance to the chemical used in fish farming pens to tackle it. Campaigners also believe emamectin benzoate – known as Slice – is leaking out and causing environmental damage and want the toxic compound banned. However, despite these concerns, the Scottish Government last year extended its use in Scottish waters to 2028. Now the Irish government has sounded a warning that Slice is becoming less effective in killing the lice that infest fish farms. New research shows young wild salmon passing coastal fish farms on their migratory routes are increasingly falling prey to lice coming out of pens. The report by the Inland Fisheries Ireland agency is based on almost 20 years of tagging wild salmon. It concludes: 'Results of the present analysis provide clear evidence of significantly reduced return of adult salmon linked to salmon lice infestation from salmon farms. Data also suggests the effects of lice from salmon farms on wild stocks are underestimated because of growing resistance to Slice.' Slice can damage human DNA, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has found it leaking from fish farm pens and harming sea life. Campaign group WildFish Scotland said the latest study's conclusions are 'exactly what we have been saying for years'. Interim director Andrew Graham-Stewart added: 'Successive Scottish Governments have enabled the salmon farming industry to expand rapidly without meaningful safeguards to protect the environment and wild salmon. It is permitted to use a host of highly toxic chemicals, including Slice, for the treatment of parasites and diseases. 'However, regulatory change has seen substantial watering down and delay, in response to heavy lobbying of Scottish ministers by the major salmon farming companies in Scotland. 'Make no mistake, this industry, as it is currently run, is driving many wild Atlantic salmon sub-populations inexorably towards extinction.' The ruling allowing the industry to continue using Slice came shortly after industry body Salmon Scotland treated Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon and her husband Baptiste to hospitality worth £1,500 as guests of chief executive Tavish Scott at Scotland's Six Nations rugby clash against France in February last year. There is no note of what was discussed but the Scottish Government has repeatedly stated that the Slice decision was not Ms Gougeon's to make and it was not discussed at Murrayfield. The industry is worth £760 million to the Scottish economy and employs 2,500 people, but in 2023 a total of 17.4 million fish died prematurely in captivity amid enduring concerns over animal welfare. A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'To protect wild fish, Sepa introduced a new framework to manage the risk of sea lice from fish farms in February 2024.' Salmon Scotland said: 'Fish farmers use Slice as a fully-licensed product, approved by vets and regulators.'
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Teen, 19, dies after viral TikTok ‘dusting' challenge went wrong leaving family ‘utterly devastated'
A TEEN, 19, has died after taking part in the viral TikTok "dusting" challenge that went wrong, leaving her family "utterly devastated". Renna O'Rourke, from Arizona, tragically passed on Sunday after being in an intensive care unit for a week. 4 4 4 Dusting involves young people inhaling aerosols like spray deodorant, paint thinner or keyboard cleaners. Renna went into cardiac arrest before later being declared brain dead after using a cleaning product to take part in the deadly challenge. The teen's heartbroken dad Aaron O'Rouke described how his daughter dreamed of fame. He told AZFamily:"She always said, 'I'm gonna be famous, Dad. Just you watch. I'm gonna be famous', and unfortunately this is not under the most optimal of circumstances." Aaron and his wife Dana shared their daughter's tragic story to raise awareness of the social media challenge. Dana said: "There's no ID required. It's odorless. It's everything kids look for. "They can afford it, they can get it, and it doesn't show in mom and dad's drug test." The mom explained how Renna and her boyfriend used an app delivery service to have the cleaning agent delivered to their door. She told 12news:"[Renna] and her boyfriend had Door Dashed product to my house and I didn't know. It's keyboard cleaner. I didn't know what they were doing with it. "We want to make sure that we use our tragedy so that no other parent has to experience looking at their child on life support and a ventilator and not breathing on her own all because she huffed out of a can." Pheobe Bishop cops arrest 34-year-old flatmate who was last to see missing Aussie teen on explosive journey to airport Dr. Randy Weisman, from the HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, explained how inhaling aerosols can make users feel drunk or euphoric for a few minutes. But such use can result in liver failure, heart failure and lung disease among other irreversible issues - or death. He told AZFamily: "This is extremely concerning. "When they inhale these chemicals in the gas it will actually replace the oxygen within their lungs and within the rest of their body." Renna's parents said that the only light to come from her passing is that her organs have gone on to save at least six other people. Mom Dana said: "Through that we're finding strength and purpose. "She will be unbelievably missed, leaving the most aching hole in our lives, but if her life is to mean anything, we are going to do what we can to prevent somebody else's child from being where ours is right now. "She will be unbelievably missed, leaving the most aching hole in our lives, but if her life is to mean anything, we are going to do what we can to prevent somebody else's child from being where ours is right now." A post on the GoFundMe set up for Renna read: "On Sunday, June 1st at 1:30pm, our wonderful daughter, after 4 days in the ICU, was pronounced brain dead. "She was the light in every room she walked into, and the pain that her family and friends feel is simply immeasurable. "We want to use the proceeds of this fundraiser to cover the extensive medical bills, burial costs, therapy costs, and to spread awareness about the dangers of Huffing/Dusting, the practice of inhaling keyboard cleaner or similar."
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
1.7 million eggs recalled over Salmonella fears
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of 1.7 million eggs due to potential Salmonella contamination. California-based August Egg Company of Hilmar is initiating the recall of brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs distributed in nine states. The eggs were distributed from February 3 through May 15 in California and Nevada, and from February 3 through May 6 to Walmart locations in California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois. Recalled eggs have plant code numbers P-6562 or CA5330 and Julian Dates between 32 and 126 printed on the carton. Salmonella infection can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea, and can be serious or fatal in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
