Retirement and sheltered housing may be an affordable option for the over-50s, but making the move to live alone can also present older residents with a range of serious and potentially life-threatening health risks.
Sheltered housing associations are being urged to reduce the rising amount of older occupants who are injuring themselves at home. The most recent figures from the government's Office for National Statistics show that the number of over-65s who died as a result of an accident was almost 7,000 in 2009. Roughly 3,000 of those deaths resulted from a fall. This is a 15% increase in fall deaths since 2006.
With the number of accidental deaths and A&E admissions among the elderly steadily rising every year, the financial cost for treating such accidents is also growing. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) conducted research last year and estimated the total annual cost of home accident casualties to the NHS, to be around £46bn – for home accidents to the over-65s alone this cost is close to £8 bn
Sheila Merrill is the home safety manager for England at RoSPA and knows that the safety of elderly occupants needs particular attention: "If the numbers of home accidents are to be reduced within this age group, then falls prevention must be seen as the priority … After a fall, for example, being unable to get up and having to wait for help exposes the faller to the risk of hypothermia and pressure sores. Help alarms, for example, those worn around the neck – could really help in this instance."
Help alarms are just one of the many suggestions that the RoSPA publishes each year as part of an advice and recommendation initiative. Merrill says that although the RoSPA cannot comment on whether individual associations are doing enough, there is always a simple low-cost design improvement that can be added to existing or new housing stock.
She explains that, "falls can be reduced by the provision of handrails to both sides of all steps, ramps and staircases within and around the home. Another common adaptation for older people and for the ambulant disabled is the provision of grab rails in the bathroom and toilet. The installation of non-slip flooring in wet areas also represents a worthwhile accident prevention measure – there is always something that can be done."
Although reasons for falls and other injuries in the home can be put down to an elderly occupant's frailty or failing health, the housing associations responsible for their sheltered accommodation must also be responsible for their safety and wellbeing. The steadily rising numbers of elderly residents hurting themselves within the home – a 14% increase in fall deaths since 2006 – means sheltered housing providers need to prove that they are taking the issue seriously to avoid accusations of slipping standards.
Maurice is a resident at Weld Court accommodation in west Dorset, and says: "Improving the home safety of older people is something that's really got to be looked into. I'm lucky that my housing has an effective alarm system – I once blacked out and fell onto my bathroom floor but as soon as I had pulled the alarm cord two officers were on hand within minutes to help me back up."
Weld Court is one of the many sheltered housing residencies that are actively seeking to improve the safety and security of their older occupants. The community has an internal fire and injury alarm service, systems to alert on-site staff and Housing 21 – the parent association – is registered with the Care Quality Commission.
"Those without an alarm system in every room or a cord that can be pulled from floor level could be in serious trouble" he added. "Even something as simple as leaving an oven hob on – like I did last week – could bring the whole place down. Thankfully there's an inter-connected fire alarm system and the brigade were on the block's doorstep within minutes; it's exactly the kind of thing you look into when renting or moving into accommodation like this."
Merrill does warn, however, that housing associations should not stop at just making physical improvements to an accommodation or residency: "Prevention methods generally involve changing an older person's environment and/or their behaviour but the more successful interventions tend to use both of these methods together."
She adds: "If an older person's environment and behaviour are to be changed permanently, proper co-operation with and from them is essential. It is crucial to involve the older person in the process of helping them to become safer – it is not a process that can be 'done' to them."
RoSPA offer courses and training to housing associations looking for ways to help their older tenants help themselves. Advice such as, avoid rushing in and cleaning up spills too quickly, can help residents become more safety conscious, but housing providers need to be responsible for bringing about environmental changes. Simple things such as making sure the stair carpets fits well and that there are two handrails by steps, can make a huge difference.
With accident numbers on the rise it has become clear that both housing associations and their tenants need to work together to create secure prevention strategies. As the population continues to age, landlords who can prove their older tenants are living as safely as possible are going to be a step ahead.
For more advice and information from the RoSPA, see their home safety checklist or visit the official website at www.rospa.com.
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