Simply changing flooring to make it more shock-absorbent could help save the lives of many older people.

That's according to experts at the University of Portsmouth, who will investigate whether the foam floors used in sports centres could be used in hospitals to help reduce the risk of injury.

As reported by Nursing Time, Amy Drahota from the University's health science and social work department claims that falls are the biggest cause of death for people over 75. She said that a third of over-65s fall at least once a year, with 15 per cent falling twice a year.

"Older people are especially vulnerable to falls because they are more unsteady on their feet and this can be worse when they are unwell in hospital and walking in familiar surroundings," said Ms Drahota.

Replacing hard floors could help those in social care jobs to minimise the risk of injury to elderly people in their care. Ms Drahota explained how a new type of flooring could help. She said: "If they do have a fall then shock-absorbent flooring may help reduce the severity of their injuries and result in a swifter recovery and briefer stay in hospital."

St Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight, York Teaching Hospital Trust, Harrogate District Hospital and Ellesmere Port Hospital are all testing the new flooring.