Incidence of Falls Requiring Medical Attention Among Older Adults in Ireland: Findings from Wave 6 of TILDA

Abstract Background Falls represent the most frequent reason older people are admitted to hospital, and significantly increase the likelihood of functional decline, healthcare utilisation and early mortality. Specialist pathways can prevent falls but currently there is no dedicated falls strategy in Ireland. Using the TILDA Wave 6 data, we have comprehensively delineated the burden of falls amongst older people in Ireland. Methods Population-representative data from Wave 6 of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) were used to estimate the incidence of falls requiring medical attention and ED attendance, fractures and fear of falling amongst participants aged ≥70 years. Additional data detailing falls-risk increasing drugs (FRID) and prior falls at Wave 5 were also analysed. TILDA data was extrapolated to the Central Statistics Office Census 2022 and data on dedicated falls clinics across each regional health area were also aggregated. Results The Wave 6 TILDA data showed that almost 12% of participants – almost 62,000 older people, reported a fall needing medical attention in 2022; over 6% - over 32,000 people, attending ED due to a fall and over 3% sustained a fracture. Almost half were prescribed a falls-risk increasing drugs, and over half had also reported a fall at Wave 5, showing prior falls as a key risk factor. Additionally, 15% of those attending ED for a fall couldn’t access a local dedicated falls clinic. Conclusion The data from the Wave 6 TILDA data has clearly shown that the burden of falls amongst older people is considerable. One in eight people required medical attention for a fall and one in sixteen attended the ED with to fall. Currently, there is no national falls strategy. While this is concerning given the ageing population, the current reconfiguration of Ireland’s health service represents an important opportunity to improve delivery of falls care.