On 26^th August 2024, it was reported that Maggie Beer AO (Australian food icon and leader of the Maggie Beer’s Big Mission experiment which aims to change the food and dining experience in the aged care sector) had sustained minor bone fractures after a fall at home.

The following is an open letter from clinician researcher and falls prevention expert at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), A/Prof Frances Batchelor, to Maggie in support of her personal recovery and highlighting the issue of falls in older Australians.

   

Image: A/Prof Frances Batchelor, clinician researcher, falls prevention expert and Clinical Gerontology Director at NARI

Dear Maggie,

I was deeply saddened to hear about your recent fall and the fractures you sustained as a result. You don’t know me, but our paths crossed back in 2019 when we were both giving evidence on the same day to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety – my evidence was on preventing falls in older Australians living in residential aged care and yours was on their food experiences. As a clinician researcher and expert in falls prevention at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), I wanted to reach out and offer some encouragement and advice to help you get back on your feet.

It might surprise you to know that you are not alone when it comes to falls. Here is some information from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare regarding falls in Australia that was released in 2023:

• Falls are a major health issue in the community with around 30% of Australians aged over 65 experiencing at least one fall per year.
• Falls are Australia’s leading cause of injury hospitalisation and death, representing 43% of injury hospitalisations and 42% of injury deaths.
•  Falls requiring hospitalisation occur more frequently in females, and with increasing age, and are most likely to occur in the home.
•  Falls requiring hospitalisation are 1.4 times for more likely for those living in very remote areas compared with inner regional areas.
• The cost of falls will increase significantly with Australia’s ageing population and is expected to rise to around $1.4 billion per year by 2051. A higher number of falls will also create greater need for precious hospital and residential aged care beds.

Physical and emotional recovery after falling takes time. Follow your healthcare provider’s advice and try not to rush the process.

Here are a few tips that you might find helpful:

1. Stay Active Safely: Exercise is vital in helping improve your strength, balance, flexibility and fitness but should be tailored to ensure that it’s right for you and your stage of recovery. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program. A Physiotherapist can assess, prescribe and progress the most appropriate type and amount of exercise for you. The Safe Exercise at Home website, developed by physiotherapists from around Australia with clinical and academic expertise in exercise and other forms of physical activity for older people and people with mobility limitations, is also a trustworthy and reliable place to find out about exercise.
2. Home Modifications: Living spaces should be safe and free from hazards that could cause another fall. This might include removing loose rugs, ensuring good lighting, and installing grab rails in key areas like the bathroom. Occupational Therapists can provide expert advice in this area to reduce falls for those at risk.
3. Assistive Devices: If an aid such as a walking stick or frame has been recommended, please don’t hesitate to use it. Aids and assistive devices can help you move around more safely and provide the support and confidence you need while you regain your strength and balance. And don’t forget to be extra careful on wet or uneven surfaces!
4. Balanced Diet: Not that we need to tell you this, however, a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is crucial for bone health. Foods like dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified cereals can help strengthen your bones.
5. Stay Connected: Emotional and psychological support is an important part of your recovery. Concerns about falling again or a fear of falling are common and can cause limitations in activity. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether cognitive behavioural therapy might be beneficial. Stay connected with friends and family as social interactions can boost your mood and aid in your overall recovery.

These, and other evidence-based recommendations, can be found in the World Guidelines for Falls Prevention and Management for Older Adult: A Global Initiative. The release of this document in 2022 was a significant moment for falls prevention efforts, as it represents the first ever world guidelines on this topic.

However, there is still more to be done. The authors of the guidelines reinforced that their initiative does not conclude with the writing of the document, and that the same tireless focus is also necessary for clinical researchers, implementation scientists and health professionals in translating evidence-based falls prevention recommendations into routine practice. Australia’s own experts in falls prevention have issued a call to action for a co-ordinated, funded approach to implementing falls prevention programs to address this critical issue.

With new Australian Falls Prevention Guidelines set to be released later this year, translational research institutes, such as NARI, are key in bridging the gap between research, policy and practice and ‘bringing research to life’. This critically important work will require substantial financial support from both federal and state governments to ensure that older Australians stay safe, healthy and in their own homes for as long as possible.

Maggie, your resilience and positive spirit have always been an inspiration to many. I have no doubt that you will overcome this challenge with the same grace, optimism and determination that you bring to everything you do. Additionally, my universal hope is that, just as you are achieving a revolution in food for older Australians living in residential aged care, we can achieve long lasting improvements in the rates of falls and subsequent injury for all older Australians.

 

Wishing you all the best for a speedy and smooth recovery.

 

Warm regards,

Associate Professor Frances Batchelor

Clinician Researcher, Falls Prevention Expert and Clinical Gerontology Director at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI)

 

About NARI:

The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) is Australia’s leading independent, non-profit medical research centre dedicated to ageing, health and aged care research. With a strong focus on translational research – from healthy ageing through to end-of-life care across all services and settings – NARI makes a measurable difference to the lives of older people and those who care for them.

Founded in 1976, NARI is highly respected across the community, health, aged care and research sectors in Australia and internationally. Our work is underpinned by effective and meaningful collaboration, engagement and co-design with a range of key stakeholders to understand and respond to identified need.

We bring together the expertise of industry leaders, advocacy groups, academics, clinical experts, world-class educators and older people themselves to influence and shape the agenda; providing a bridge between academia, policy and practice by rapidly translating research into accessible evidence, knowledge, tools and resources to enable informed decision making by government, service providers and clinicians. This has positive health, wellbeing, social, cultural, environmental, and economic impacts for individuals and the community.

Current priorities for translational research at NARI include a focus on healthy ageing; prevention and management of medical conditions associated with advancing age; technological solutions to support older people to age well; diversity and inclusion; carer support and education; health and aged care systems evaluation; and evidence-informed model of care development. We are also committed to tackling growing societal issues such ageism and an increasing prevalence of elder abuse as well as challenges in recruiting and retaining a capable and resourced community, health and aged care workforce to meet the needs of Australia’s ageing population.

For more information, visit: www.nari.net.au