1 RoSPA and Older People Colin Morris Home Safety Development Officer West of England

2 RoSPA The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

3 “ To improve the quality of life by exercising a powerful influence for accident prevention.” Our Mission is:

4 Different Departments Home Safety Occupational Safety Product Safety Water and Leisure Safety Road Safety Safety Education Play Safety RoSPA

5 RoSPA Home Safety Staff  Scotland  N.Ireland  North of England  Wales  Birmingham HQ  West of England  East of England RoSPA Home Safety department has experienced Home Safety staff working throughout the United Kingdom to promote awareness of Home Safety issues.

6 RoSPA Home Safety Staff Raise Awareness Deliver Training Organise Seminars/ Conferences ROLE Support Inform Advise Encourage Membership Representation on national groups/bodies Multi-agency working Lobby for change

7 RoSPA’s Information Centre For RoSPA Members, a major benefit is free use of RoSPA's Information and Advisory Services -

8 Staying Alive is a unique quarterly which deals with all aspects of home safety Aimed at professionals in home safety, health promotion, environmental health, leisure management, it is also written to be of interest to the general public with an interest in safety.

9 TRAINING COURSES RoSPA run Home Safety Training Courses to cater for every need, both in-house, or at our UK Centres. Subjects include:

10 CHILD SAFETY OLDER PERSON SAFETY

11 TRAINING COURSES We also offer: 24/7 Home Safety In-House Training Courses tailored to your individual requirements

12 Or the more advanced : RoSPA City and Guilds Course

13 Have you visited the RoSPA Website ?

14  74 projects throughout the UK  Targeted groups according to specific needs  Evaluation  Cost analysis  Sustainability

15 As a charity, we are dependent on membership subscriptions to enable us to continue with our vital work of promoting safety and preventing accidents.

16 Death and Injury Statistics Accidents are a major cause of death and injury in the UK Each year on average… 13,000 people die 500,000 people are admitted to hospital 7 million people attend A & E

17 Accidental Deaths (UK 2002) Total Deaths = 12,367 estimated Other 34% Home 32% Road 29% Work 3% Source: Office of National Statistics, Registrars General Scotland and Northern Ireland 2002

18 Why Home Safety? Source: Office of National Statistics – 2002 Data Registrars General Scotland and Northern Ireland 2002

19 We had them fitted after hearing that more people are injured by accidents in the home than on the road

20 The Size Of The Problem Each year: Approx 4,000 people die from a home accident 54% are over the age of million need medical treatment Just over ½ million are over 65 years old

21 Ageing Population 2001 UK Population 58.8 million People 65 + have doubled since 1930s –Now make up more than a fifth of population Census Day 1951  0.2 million 85+ –Census Day 2001  1.1 million 85+ Census 2001

22 Fatal Home Accidents to Older People – UK 2002 estimated Fatal Home Accidents to Older People – UK 2002 estimated Type of Accident All Falls Choking/suffocation Fires Poisoning Drowning Other accidents Total Office for National Statistics, Registrars General for Scotland and Northern Ireland (2002)

23 Non-fatal Home Accidents to Older People – UK 2002 (000s) Type of accident All Fall Struck Crush/piercing Foreign body Cut/tear Acute over exertion Other accidents Total Source: Home Accident Surveillance System 2002

24 Location of Accidents Location Living Room Kitchen Exterior Garden Hall/stairs Bedroom Bathroom All Ages 4th 3 rd 6 th 1st 5 th 2nd 7 th rd 2 nd 4 th 1 st 5 th 6 th 7 th nd 3 rd 7 th 4 th 6 th 1 st 5 th

25 When Do Most Accidents Happen? Most falls happen during the day When getting out of bed When getting out of a chair When preparing meals Unexpectedly during walking When climbing When reaching When bending

26 The Cost Of Accidents The annual treatment costs of accidents is estimated at : £2.2 billion (7% of NHS expenditure)

27 Cost Of An Individual Hip Fracture CategoryCost Hospital Care £4,760 Ambulance £171 Long Stay Residential Care £20,010 GP Use £164 Outpatient Use £319 £25,424

28 Why Do Accidents Happen? Medical Problems Drug Use Changes Associated With Ageing Conditions Environmental Hazards Other Personal Factors Accidents CRYER 1997

29 Use It Or Lose It ! One third of people aged over 70 years cannot walk a 1/4 of a mile on their own Disuse rather than disease SKELTON 1999

30 Effect of Lack of Mobility on Daily Activities 9% of men and 38% of women aged cannot walk comfortably at 3mph 7% of men and 28% of women aged lacked the leg strength to climb stairs easily 47% of women aged found it difficult to climb stairs Problems getting about increased with age SKELTON 1999

31 Fitness? Strength to lift household objects Flexibility to wash hair, tie shoes Balance and agility to climb stairs Co-ordination and dexterity to open a door with a key Endurance to walk to the shops

32 Barriers To Physical Activity Stopping work means stopping life Need green light from GP Families often encourage to “be careful” Care home staff encourage staff to stay put Disability aids can help but also discourage movement and effort Stereotypical images of older people

33 the golden years of iron

34 General Prevention Keep active Enjoy the sun Look after feet Manage medicines See clearly Osteoporosis Help The Aged

35 What kind of plans are we making for the time of the third age ?