Falls the major cause of injury in older Australians.

Falls the major cause of injury in older Australians.

About 30 percent of people over the age of 65 suffer at least one fall a year in their homes, making falls the major cause of injury in older Australians.

Falls also account for almost 25 percent of all hospital admissions and 12 percent of all injury deaths in older people.

Making a home a ?slip and trip free environment' is the subject of a free University of Queensland Health Week seminar to be held on Tuesday, July 27 at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens Auditorium.

The talk by Desleigh de Jonge of the University's Department of Occupational Therapy and Louise van Willigen of the Independent Living Centre will identify hazards in the home and outline ways that older residents can reduce their risk of falling.

"About half the falls sustained by older people occur in their home," Dr De Jonge said. "As people get older, they are more likely to sustain a serious injury because of a fall, especially if they fracture their shoulder or hip."

"Yet research has shown that falls can be prevented through practical home modifications as well as better management of medication, health education and exercise."

"Reducing the risk of falling can be as simple as identifying and removing obstacles, rearranging furniture, improving lighting and installing aids such as grab rails in the bathroom," she said.

The free public seminar begins at 10.30am and will be presented with a lecture on safe driving for the elderly.

The University of Queensland was named Australian University of the Year in 1998 and is a recognised leader in medical and health-related research and teaching.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Desleigh de Jonge telephone 3365 1664