Maggie Beer’s fall is a reminder to us all
A kind and informative letter to the famous foodie offers sound and useful advice to all seniors.
Australian chef and food icon, and recent champion of improving meals served to aged care residents, Maggie Beer is recovering from a serious fall at her home, during which she sustained bone fractures.
Doctors expect the popular food personality, 79, to make a full recovery.
Ms Beer lives at a farm in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, and in a social media post, her family said, “Thankfully Col, her husband, was there and she is now in the excellent hands of her doctors who are confident she will make a full recovery.”
The incident is a reminder that falls can be a dangerous part of ageing, as the body becomes less flexible, less stable, weaker, and brittle.
There are many things we can do to prevent falls and enhance recovery, with regular exercise and good nutrition being important.
The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) has highlighted Ms Beer’s fall to communicate practical information about these prevention strategies.
In a sympathetic “open letter” to Ms Beer, NARI clinician researcher and falls prevention expert, Associate Professor Frances Batchelor, expressed her sadness at hearing about the fall.
Professor Batchelor and reminded Ms Beer that they met in 2019 when both gave evidence on the same day to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, saying, “My evidence was on preventing falls in older Australians living in residential aged care and yours was on their food experiences.”
Professor Batchelor continued, “As a clinician researcher and expert in falls prevention at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), I wanted to reach out and offer some encouragement and advice to help you get back on your feet.”
She went on to offer important information about falls and how to prevent them, including some factual context about how common falls are:
Falls are a major health issue in the community with around 30% of Australians aged over 65 experiencing at least one fall per year
Falls are Australia’s leading cause of injury hospitalisation and death, representing 43% of injury hospitalisations and 42% of injury deaths
Falls requiring hospitalisation occur more frequently in females, and with increasing age, and are most likely to occur in the home
Falls requiring hospitalisation are 1.4 times for more likely for those living in very remote areas compared with inner regional areas
The cost of falls will increase significantly with Australia’s ageing population and is expected to rise to around $1.4 billion per year by 2051. A higher number of falls will also create greater need for precious hospital and residential aged care beds.
The open letter noted that physical and emotional recovery after falling takes time, and that people in this situation should follow their healthcare provider’s advice and try not to rush the process.
The professor’s top tips for fall prevention include:
Stay active safely. Exercise is vital in helping improve your strength, balance, flexibility and fitness but should be tailored to ensure that it’s right for you and your stage of recovery. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program. she recommends the Safe Exercise at Home website as “a trustworthy and reliable place to find out about exercise”.
Home modifications. Living spaces should be safe and free from hazards that could cause another fall. Occupational therapists can provide expert advice.
Assistive devices. If a walking stick or frame is recommended, use it. It will provide support and confidence while you regain your strength and balance. Be extra careful on wet or uneven surfaces.
Balanced diet. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is crucial for bone health. Eat dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified cereals.
Stay connected. Professor Batchelor concluded that emotional and psychological support is an important part of recovery. “Concerns about falling again or a fear of falling are common and can cause limitations in activity,” she wrote.
Additional evidence-based recommendations can be found in the World Guidelines for Falls Prevention and Management for Older Adult: A Global Initiative.
Meanwhile, Australian experts in falls prevention have issued a call to action for a co-ordinated, funded approach to implementing falls prevention programs.
New Australian Falls Prevention Guidelines are set to be released later this year, but Professor Batchelor says, “This critically important work will require substantial financial support from both federal and state governments to ensure that older Australians stay safe, healthy and in their own homes for as long as possible.”
Related reading: NARI, ABC, NSA
Related viewing: Maggie Beer’s Big Mission
