Report on Risk of Falls to NB Seniors

A new report says there was a 26 per cent increase in the number of New Brunswick seniors injured in falls from 2010 to 2015. The Horizon Health Network reports falls by people of all ages cost the provincial healthcare system 248-million dollars each year — with falls among seniors responsible for about 85 per cent of injury-related hospitalizations in the province. It says in a news release that falls by seniors can lead to mobility issues and increase risk of admission to a nursing home. The network is touting a national program called Finding Balance that offers online information about preventative measures that seniors and their caregivers can take to help reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls.