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Falls Among Older Adults: The Silent Daily Crisis

Every day, countless older adults suffer a fall — an event that too often goes unnoticed by the wider community. For people aged 65 and over, the risk is significant and growing. In Australia alone, one in three older adults experiences a fall each year. Even more alarming, every 2.5 minutes an older person presents to an emergency department because of a fall.

The consequences ripple far beyond the individual — they affect families, communities, and the healthcare system. Falls are the leading cause of accidental death in this age group and a major reason for unplanned admissions to aged care.

Despite the clear evidence, public health action on falls prevention remains inadequate. The result? An avoidable epidemic causing enormous social and economic costs.

The Good News: Falls Can Be Prevented

The science is clear — many falls are preventable. Just as campaigns for seatbelt use or sun safety have saved lives, simple, proven strategies can make a difference:

  • Strength and balance exercises

  • Safer home environments (good lighting, removing trip hazards)

  • Community awareness and education

Experts believe that with the right investment, including a mass media campaign, a third of falls could be prevented within 12 months. That’s a huge potential win for public health.

Why This Matters

By supporting this initiative, Rotary Clubs can:

  • Help save lives and reduce suffering

  • Significantly cut health costs

  • Strengthen Rotary’s networks in the public health and community sectors

  • Build on Rotary’s legacy of leadership in public health

A Zone-Wide Rotary Response

1. Rotary South Pacific Falls Prevention Project

A comprehensive toolkit is being developed to equip Rotary Clubs and community groups with resources to raise awareness and drive action. These include:

  • A dedicated website

  • Educational videos and flyers

  • Guest speakers for awareness campaigns

  • Clear steps for local action

Stay tuned! For more details, email Rotaryfallsprevention@gmail.com.

2. Falls Prevention Alliance & Rotary South Pacific: Partners in Service

The Falls Prevention Alliance unites leading experts and organisations to drive change through education, policy reform, investment, and public campaigns. While the Alliance is currently focused on Australia, its message is global.

Rotary’s involvement has already helped amplify its reach — from supporting promotion of the Alliances at the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine Conference, to awareness videos featuring well-known figures like actor Michael Caton and former Foreign Minister Bob Carr.

Now, the Alliance is calling on Rotarians and Rotaractors — especially those with a passion for public health — to contribute. Whether it’s:

  • Providing a community perspective

  • Joining a working group

  • Becoming an Alliance member

You can be part of this movement. Simply register at falls prevention alliance contact page — and be sure to include your Rotary Club under “Organisation name.”

Falls Prevention Alliance Members
The Falls Prevention Alliance is comprised of the following proud members.
Find Out More

Visit the Alliance website: Falls Prevention Alliance Australia

Email: Rotaryfallsprevention@gmail.com