Falls hurt everyone.
They harm the individual, those that care
for them, as well as the broader community
by placing an enormous strain on the health
care system - more than any other trauma.
We can't stop ageing, but could we reduce
the harmful and burdensome cost of falls?
We know that exercise can reduce our risk
of falls, but there is an urgent lack of evidence
for its usefulness in a residential care setting.
So a group of Australian researchers set out
to test if an evidence-based strength and
balance exercise program of 2 hours per week
could reduce falls for residential care residents.
They randomly allocated 221 residents of 16
residential aged care facilities to either
the Sunbeam Strength and Balance Program or
the usual residential care, and compared the
impact on both groups' falls over 12 months.
The results were nothing short of amazing.
Sunbeam participants experienced a staggering 55% fewer falls.
They also gained a significant boost to their
physical performance, improving their opportunity
to remain independent and participate in life.
What's more, it's not only individuals who
stand to benefit from such a program.
If the Sunbeam Strength and Balance Program
was scaled nationally, the short and long
term benefits would save the Australian Health
Care Economy an estimated 120 million dollars.
It's clear.
A tailored, evidence-based program of strength
and balance exercises, prescribed by a physiotherapist,
could dramatically improve the health and
mobility of the world's elderly population.
