Published on: 15 September 2023
It’s Falls Prevention awareness week (18-24 September) and we want you to know that prevention is possible. That’s why we’re taking the opportunity to share the ways you can reduce the risk and avoid potential injuries.
We know that 30% of people aged 65 and over experience an accidental fall every year. That increases to around 50% in the over 80s. (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence).
Falls can cause serious injury and broken bones, and while the injuries themselves are physically distressing, the potential loss of mobility they cause can have a detrimental effect on someone’s mental well-being, too. Anxiety and depression are often linked to the feelings of isolation caused by a loss of independence. That’s why we want to you to know how to stay safe at home, or while out and about this winter.
It’s important to remember that falls are not an inevitable part of ageing, and there are things you can do to reduce the risk. These include: making simple changes at home, doing exercises to improve your strength and balance, and reducing intake of alcohol to maintain your coordination. Wearing good quality footwear will help you stay on your feet. It’s worth investing in close fitting slippers for indoors and sturdy, ankle supporting shoes with gripped soles for outside use.
Here are some useful hints and tips for avoiding accidents at home:
- Immediately mopping up spillages
- Removing clutter, trailing wires and frayed carpet and rugs
- Keeping walkways clear and well lit
- Reorganising belongings so that climbing, bending and stretching are kept to a minimum
- Getting help to do things that you’re unable to do safely yourself
For more of these, and advice on simple strength and balance training activities, visit the NHS Website falls prevention page here: Falls - Prevention - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
By removing trip hazards around the home, and doing exercises that improve your strength and balance, it’s possible to reduce the risk of having a fall. It means you are less likely to suffer serious injury or lose independence. It also means that for every accident avoided, NHS services in Herefordshire and Worcestershire can support someone else in need this winter.
Dr Will Taylor, Chief Medical Director for NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire says:
“There are lots of ways to reduce the risk of having a fall. A tidy home, sensible footwear, and maintaining good strength and balance through exercise can all help you stay on your feet.
But if you do have a fall, no matter how small, it’s important to tell your practice about it. They can carry out simple checks to see if you are at an increased risk of falling in the future and refer you to useful support services if you need them.”
