Falls Prevention

Every year hundreds of older people fall and hurt themselves. Falling at home can result in serious injury and hospitalisation. In the UK falls are a major cause of disability and mortality, due to injury in older people aged 75 and over.

In Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT it is forecasted in 2011 that there will be 26, 040 fallers. Of these 2,604 will sustain an injury and half of these will have a fracture.

Risk Factors of Falling:

• Get dizzy or light headed when you stand or turn
• Have difficulty walking or rising from a low chair or bed
• Have poor balance
• Have fallen before
• Take four or more medicines
• Have a fear of falling
• Suffer from depression or memory problems
• Have poor eye-sight or hearing
• Have a cluttered or poorly lit home

What’s Available

Making small changes where possible will enable you to reduce your risk of falling and injury. The Health Improvement Team run a variety of community and referral based programmes in partnership with Age Uk and Housing Associations. The programmes provide local people with the opportunity to restore confidence, maintain independence and reduce the number of people falling by improving mobility, strength, balance and flexibility.

Programmes include exercises classes specifically designed to reduce the risk of falling.

Further information can be obtained by the following downloads:

• Tai Chi (PDF, 1.4MB)
• Sit & Be Fit (PDF, 3MB)
• Be steady, Be safe (PDF, 1.3MB)

More information on a free Falls Awareness Programme (PDF, 857KB) is available for download.

Or email any enquiries to : BeSteadyBeSafe@cheshireeast.gov.uk