Falls in the elderly: challenges and opportunities in the rural settings: the Whyalla case. Preliminary report

Describes the development of a management plan for prevention of falls and reduction of falls injuries for older and frail people in the community, nursing homes and acute care settings in Whyalla, South Australia. Falls among the elderly have been described as the most common causes of injury and hospital admissions for trauma in Australia. Prevention and control of injury is one of the five National Health Policy Priority Areas in Australia. As a response to the national initiative, and a felt need, the South Australian Centre for Rural and Remote Health was commissioned by the local health service to develop a plan that would address falls prevention in the older people in Whyalla. The plan was developed in consultation with the key stakeholders. An evidence‐based plan that uses messages from the scientific literature but modified to account for stakeholders’ feedback on what is feasible in practice, is considered a good example of best practice. Furthermore, the alignment of literature review alongside stakeholders’ consultation provides higher chances of the plan being adopted locally.