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Guardian Alert Facts
Facts on Emergencies
Research supports the common sense notion that getting prompt help makes surviving an emergency more likely. The ability to get help also boosts the odds that a senior will continue to live independently. The longer a person spends helpless, the greater the likelihood he/she will be discharged into supportive care. For elderly people who live alone, becoming incapacitated and unable to get help is a common event, which usually marks the end to their ability to live independently. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Facts on Senior Citizens
As the oldest baby boomers become senior citizens in 2011, the percentage of people 65 and older is projected to grow faster than any other age group.
In fact some States are projected to double their over 65 + and older populations between 2000 and 2030.
Facts on 000 Calls
Over 10 million calls are made to emergency service numbers in Australia in a year.
Facts on Causes of Death
Nearly 75% of deaths in Australia are elderly people. For many decades, heart disease, cancer, and stroke have been the leading causes of death among the elderly, accounting for 70% of all deaths in this age group.
Facts on Falling
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths, hospital admissions and emergency department presentations in older people.. Falls most commonly occur at home. Falls can result in loss of confidence and independence and therefore significantly reduce an older persons quality of life.(Monash University Accident research centre)
Facts on Heart Attacks
Heart, stroke and vascular disease kill more Australians than any other disease - 50,294 deaths in 2002.
1.10 million Australians are disabled long-term by heart, stroke and vascular disease.
Among Australians having a heart attack, over 4 in 10 will die with a year, but over half of all heart
attack deaths occur before the person reaches the hospital. (National Heart Foundation)
Facts on Fire - Who is Most at Risk
Senior citizens over 65 are at the greatest risk of a fire death. The fire death risk among seniors is more than double the average population.
