Falls Prevention Taka Whāra
Slips, trips and falls are the leading cause of injury hospitalisation and one of the top three causes of injury-related death in the New Plymouth District
Each year one in three people aged 65 and over will fall, for people aged 80 and over, the risk increases to one in two.
Between 2006 and 2010, more than 3,387 people were hospitalised for fall-related injuries, accounting for 41% of all unintentional injury-related hospital admissions.
Between 2004-2008 36 people died from fall-related causes, accounting for 23.4% of all unintentional injury-related fatalities in the New Plymouth District.
The majority of those who fall and injure themselves are children or older adults. However, falls are also one of the biggest causes of home injuries for adult New Zealanders in the working population age range (15-64 years).
Community Strength and Balance
Specifically designed for older people, this programme offers a variety of fun and friendly strength and balance sessions throughout Taranaki. Building strength and balance helps guard against falls and fractures.
If you need some encouragement to get active, or want to try something new, but are unsure of what might be suitable for you, check out Sport Taranaki’s new video highlighting strength and balance classes in Taranaki.
Head to Sport Taranaki’s Community Strength and Balance page for more information and to find a Strength and Balance Class near you.
Taranaki Local Falls Working Group
This group works collaboratively to reduce falls and falls related injuries for those in the local community aged over 65 years of age.
The following organisations are represented:
- Te Whatu Ora Taranaki
- Pinnacle Midlands Health Network
- Sport Taranaki
- ACC
- New Plymouth Injury Safe
- Positive Ageing/Consumer Representative
- Age Concern Taranaki
- Hato Hone St John Taranaki
Falls Prevention in Action
The Local Falls Working Group have been working on ways to encourage our older population to re-engage with Strength and Balance activities. Click here to read about our recent Healthy and Active Ageing Forum held in New Plymouth.
For further information on the Local Falls Working Group, please contact manager@npis.org.nz
Kidsafe Taranaki Trust
This charitable trust works to reduce unintentional injuries to children/tamariki in Taranaki. NPiS is a member of this long-standing and successful local coalition.
Kidsafe Taranaki coordinate a variety of tamariki/child falls prevention programmes in Taranaki, working alongside local providers including Plunket, Tui Ora, Ngati Ruanui Health and Hapu Wananga.
Please contact Kidsafe Taranaki Trust’s coordinator for further information at kaimahi@kidsafetaranaki.nz
TALK TO US
LINKS
- Live Stronger for Longer: Prevent Falls and Fractures
- ACC publications for Older Adults
- Sport Taranaki – Community Strength and Balance
- Current approved Community Strength and Balance Classes
- Ladder Safety
- Home Injury Prevention Intervention Study – Taranaki
- Research into the link between Alcohol and Falls
The Numbers
Average number of aged 50+ hospitalised with a fall in New Plymouth District each year
Average number of people a year who die from falls in New Plymouth District
Average number of under 10 years old hospitalised each year
The average number of New Plymouth district residents visiting the Emergency department each year for falls
document Library
| Title | File Type | File Size | Categories | Link | file_type_hfilter | doc_categories_hfilter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength and Balance Evaluation Summary | 9 MB | All Falls | all-falls | |||
| Strength and Balance Survey Infographic | 515 KB | All Falls | all-falls | |||
| Taranaki Falls Prevention Service Evaluation Report – Final Report Oct 2019 | 2 MB | All Falls | all-falls | |||
| Vitamin D Report February 2015 – Executive Summary | 116 KB | All Falls | all-falls |