Healthcare spending and factors associated with fall injury in Australia residential aged care: a cohort analysis.
Inj PrevSep 28, 2026 (epub)
Charles Okafor, Namal N Balasooriya, Amy T Page et al.
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In 30 seconds
This cohort analysis examined healthcare spending and factors associated with fall injuries in Australian residential aged care, utilizing data from the Opti-Med trial involving 303 participants aged ≥65 years. The study found that the average cost of an injurious fall was $2494, with a total potential annual cost of $325 million for the system.
Key findings
- The average cost of an injurious fall was $2494 (SD=$6199).
- The average cost of falls per resident per annum was $1798 (SD=$6002).
- The potential annual cost of injurious falls in Australia's RAC system was $325 million.
- An inverted U-shaped relationship was found between BMI and falls risk.
Why it matters
Understanding the economic burden of fall injuries in residential aged care is essential for resource allocation and developing targeted prevention strategies, ultimately improving the quality of life for older adults.