Help for Aussie seniors

• 66,784 older Australians are admitted to hospitals every year due to falls¹
• 26,628 emergencies among older people get help immediately, while others wait hours ²
• 514,382 bed days are taken up from falls¹
• Monday mornings and Friday evenings are the most ‘at risk’ times for emergencies involving older people²
• VitalCall says government assistance programs could be extended to help older people at risk and allow them to stay in their homes

Sydney, 2 November, 2009 – Slips and falls in the home are hazardous for anyone, but they can be life-threatening for older people.  On average, 66,784 Australians over the age of 65 are admitted to hospitals every year as a result of falls.  Of those injured, two-thirds suffer at least one fracture.¹

This problem is set to worsen as the population ages and the issue of state-funded nursing care becomes more contentious.  In fact, over a seven-year study period, age-standardised rates of hospitalised fall-related injuries have increased.¹  Other factors such as vision problems can contribute to this increase –  especially at a time when pensioners feel the impact of the Global Financial Crisis and may avoid expenses related to eye care.

Falls represent the most common and serious type of accident among older people, and many of these injuries are directly attributed to poor sight4.  In a recent study, Professor Stephen Lord found that as many as 45 percent of research participants who were multiple fallers had poor eyesight. 

A simple way to help people cope with the risks of fall-related injuries at home is to use a back to base alarm pendant.  The VitalCall unit, a product from Chubb, enables people who have been injured, fallen or become ill in their homes to call for help simply by pressing a button.

“VitalCall is a peace-of-mind technology for both users and their families and relatives.  It enables older Australians and people with disabilities to continue living independently in their own homes for longer, knowing that help is available if they need it,” VitalCall General Manager Daryl Woolstencroft said.

The VitalCall unit base station, which is linked to a telephone line, automatically calls the 24/7 VitalCall emergency response centre if the pendant alarm is triggered.  An operator will contact the user to identify the problem and then send the appropriate emergency services.

“The VitalCall unit works even if the user has been incapacitated to the point where they are unable to move or speak.  If the unit senses no movement at a pre-determined time and an automatic alarm is not cancelled by the user, the response centre is immediately alerted, enabling VitalCall to take the necessary actions such as dispatching emergency services,” Mr Woolstencroft said.

For more customer information contact:
1300 360 808.

For more media information contact:
Daniel Marks
Chubb Australasia, A UTC Fire & Security Company
149-155 Milton St. Ashfield, NSW 2131
Tel: (02) 9930-4433 Fax: (02) 9930-4233