Seniors urged not to climb ladders
A huge rise in hospital admissions from ladder falls has prompted calls to the Victorian Government for a public safety campaign, focusing on seniors.
A report by Monash University and the Alfred Hospital shows a 39% rise in admission rates for ladder related injuries with those aged 50 to 59 accounting for 40% of all ladder related visits to emergency departments and 70% of trauma cases.
Hospital admissions among the over 50s rose from 221 in 2001 to 363 in 2005, with figures peaking in December due to Christmas decorating. Sixteen people – all but one over 50 – died from ladder falls in the four year period.
A recent public awareness campaign in NSW had reduced falls among the elderly by more than 30%.
![Dandenong Mayor [left] stands next to aged care resident and aged care staff member](https://agedcareguide-assets.imgix.net/news/articles/wp/belv__2204.jpg?fm=pjpg&w=370)
![Dandenong Mayor [left] stands next to aged care resident and aged care staff member](https://agedcareguide-assets.imgix.net/news/articles/wp/belv__2204.jpg?fm=pjpg&w=520&format=auto&q=65)
