Fall prevention key to avoiding severe injuries in the elderly

Fall prevention strategies are key to avoiding severe injuries in the elderly, said Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor on Saturday morning. One in three severe trauma cases involve people over 65 years of age.

"Trauma used to be thought of as a condition that afflicts only the young and road users," Dr Khor said. Trauma refers to physical injury sustained through various causes. In Singapore, falls and road traffic accidents are the main causes to trauma cases.

Dr Khor outlined nationwide measures to prevent falls in the elderly in her opening address at the Singapore Trauma Conference, including regular exercise programmes like those conducted by the Health Promotion Board.

Many injuries happen at home, she said. "Injury and falls prevention should therefore be a priority for elderly Singaporeans, and all the more as we prepare for a rapidly ageing population."

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