A pilot evaluation of the efficacy of an elderly falls prevention programme at St Camillus Hospital, Limerick.

Falls and their consequences are prevalent and potentially debilitating events for older individuals. Amongst community dwelling elderly, it is estimated that a lifetime cumulative incidence of falls is between 25% and 40%.1 Falls may expedite a myriad of physical and psychological complications as well as premature admission to residential care.2 Additionally, societal financial costs related to elderly falls can be substantial.3 While there is evidence to support the efficacy of a multifactorial, multidisciplinary intervention to reduce falls in an elderly population, 4 the effectiveness of “exercise only” falls prevention programmes remains ambiguous. A systematic review of the relevant literature found that while such programmes may have a positive impact on reducing risk factors, only 5 of 13 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigated showed a statistically significant positive effect on falls reduction.5 A review of the published literature since that time has shown continued equivocacy regarding the efficacy of such programmes in reducing falls.