Some revealing research on falls and hip fractures was released today, after an annual audit showed that one in five older people with broken hips don’t get surgery quickly enough. Concealed behind these findings was actually some positive news – that standards were improving compared to previous years. But this is of little comfort given that administrative problems and staffing shortages can currently prevent people from receiving the basic care they need, leaving some to endure avoidable disability and/or a loss of independence.
But what really struck us about these findings was the lack of reported aftercare. Ways to prevent more problems arising after a hip fracture are well known, and it makes sense that prevention is better than cure. But the audit highlighted that a third of the people who were treated for hip fractures did not have a falls assessment – essential to organising necessary home modifications and exercise regimes, and a quarter were not assessed to see if they needed drug treatment to strengthen bones. At Independent Age we know how debilitating a fall can be for an older person, having a massive impact on their quality of life. Failure to make the most of treatments and prevention techniques already available, not only puts older people at risk but will undoubtedly cost the NHS more in years to come.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons User:Scuba-limp,used under Creative Commons license
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