Almost 20% of people over the age of 50 suffer a fall each year requiring hospital attendance, according to a study on ageing.
The authors of the Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing say special falls clinics should be set up to avoid hospital admissions and free up hospital beds.
This is the third major report of its kind, following over 8,500 older people.
It finds a big jump in people over the age of 80 accessing emergency departments.
In 2014, 25% accessed emergency departments, up 9% on 2010; those over 80 who were admitted to hospital was 26% in 2014 - up 10% on 2010; 18% of older people had a fall which necessitated in them attending hospital.
That represents about 60,000 people in Ireland each year.
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The authors of the report recommend special falls clinics should be set up to avoid people having to be admitted to hospital in the majority.
They say this would free up about 18 medical beds at any one time.
It also finds that obesity continues to rise among older adults - particularly women aged 50-64 - up to 57% from 49% in 2010.
It also found 76% of adults are not eating their daily recommended fruit and vegetables.
