Preventing Falls
Staying steady on your feet
Falling over can happen to anyone, but for older people the risk is particularly high and the consequences potentially severe, including distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence, loss of independence and mortality.
Falls are a common and serious health issue for older people, with around a third of all people aged 65 and over falling each year, increasing to half of those aged 80 and over.
In around 5% of cases a fall leads to fracture and hospitalisation, which is costly for health services and the wider economy.
So preventing falls is therefore important for the health and wellbeing of older people and those that care for them, as well as the future of our health and social care services.
Falls are NOT an inevitable part of ageing and there are many things that you can do to help prevent falls and fractures.
If you are concerned about yourself, family member or friend, it is recommended that you seek a full and comprehensive falls assessment from a qualified healthcare professional.
How to reduce your risk of falling
Age UK suggest 7 simple things you can do to stay steady on your feet:
- Exercise regularly.
- Check your eyes and hearing.
- Look after your feet.
- Manage your medicines.
- Keep your bones healthy.
- Check for hazards.
- Tackle the fear of falling.
Resources
Online tools
The following tools to help someone stay safe and avoid falls:
- Falls assistant: An NHS-approved interactive online source which helps you check and understand what may be putting someone at risk. The online tool also provides information on what to do to reduce risk and provides information on exercises to improve mobility, gait and balance.
- Timed up and go test: A simple online test, from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, to see how someone gets in and out of a chair and walks. This can help indicate whether they need to improve their strength, gait and balance.
- Age UK preventing falls: Easy to follow home exercises to help build strength and balance as part of a healthy ageing programme.
- Fall Check home safety: An interactive check for hazards in the home that may cause a trip.
Leaflets
Videos
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has developed the following videos as part of its approach to fall prevention in the home: