Falls are the most common and costly cause of injury in older people, accounting for about 40 per cent of ACC claims for people aged between 65 and 69, and about 60 per cent of claims for those aged over 85.
As such fall minimisation is a key focus for health agencies and on the East Coast, Enliven has been appointed the lead agency for a new falls minimisation initiative, "Community Strength and Balance", driven by ACC, the Ministry of Health and the Health Quality and Safety Commission.
The initiative was launched at the Enliven Centre on Pakowhai Rd yesterday, and was aimed at supporting older people to live stronger for longer in their own homes, on their own terms, said Enliven community services manager Rebekah Charlton.
"Falling over is not a 'normal' part of the ageing process.
"Older people want to control if and when it's time to move to residential care. We don't want a 'fall' to take that choice away from them."