Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. In Ireland there are up to 46,873 stroke survivors living with the effects of stroke. Falls and fractures are common among older people. What is not as well known is that stroke patients have a much greater risk of falling after their stroke. As many as 4 to 5 in every 10 stroke patients can fall at home, and 8 in 10 may have a ‘near fall’.
There is no research on the size of the problem in Ireland. It would be helpful if we knew more about the risks of falls after stroke and how to better predict them. This study will describe falls risk factors in an Irish stroke population; the researchers will gather information on falls risk factors among recently admitted stroke patients of the Dublin Area Teaching Hospitals. This information will improve education and awareness about falls risks after stroke and to plan coordinated services to prevent falls during their acute care.
