Preventing #FALLS this winter

Posted on in Ipswich and East Suffolk News, North East Essex News, West Suffolk News

In the UK, a third of people aged over 65 and half of people aged 80+ fall at least once a year.

Falls and fractures are a common and serious health issue, with falls continuing to be the number one reason older people are taken to the emergency department at hospital.

As part of wider age well advice, health professionals in Suffolk and north east Essex are encouraging people to follow a simple checklist to prevent falls.

Follow this simple checklist

The checklist is based on an easy-to-remember acronym: FALLS. The letters stand for:

F for “Friendly” – Check on family, friends and neighbours, and perhaps run through this checklist with them!

A for “Alarm” – Keep personal alarms or mobiles with you at all times and ensure they are charged and ready to use in case of emergency.

L for “Look” – Assess your walking aids and remove obstacles from walkways inside your home.

L for “Lively” – Let’s keep active. Regularly moving your body could help increase your strength and balance, in turn improving your mobility and reducing your risk of falling.

S for “Slippers and Shoes” – Wear appropriate footwear for the location and conditions and make sure your slippers fit snugly.

You can also find more tips on how to avoid a fall via the dedicated Suffolk and North East Essex Wellbeing website.

Preventing #FALLS: Friendly

Preventing #FALLS: Friendly

Transcript of Preventing #FALLS: Friendly video

In the UK a third of people aged over 65 fall at least once a year. This can be a really scary experience and can lead to people needing hospital treatment. We’re trying to help people in Suffolk and north east Essex to stay on their feet this winter but we need your help. Please check on your friends, family and neighbours and run through the #FALLS checklist with them.

Transcript of Preventing #FALLS: Alarm video

No matter how fit or healthy we feel, we can never rule out the possibility of having an accident or suddenly falling ill. Keep personal alarms and mobiles with you at all times and ensure that they are charged and ready to use in case of an emergency. We hope you’ll never need them but there’s no harm in being prepared. Visit suffolkandnortheastessex.icb.nhs.uk for more information on how to reduce the risk of having a fall and how to stay well during the colder months. You can also book a home fire safety visit with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service simply go to essex-fire.gov.uk/book

Transcript of Preventing #FALLS: Look video

When you’re inside, whether this be at home or visiting friends and family, make sure that you look around your environment for things that could cause you to trip. This could be things such as rugs that have rucked up, uneven flooring, thresholds within the home, clutter or wires. If you have a walking aid make sure that you check the bottom of the aid to see whether there are any signs of wearing on the ferrule. The ferrule at the bottom can become worn and uneven causing us to be off balance. These can easily be replaced. If you are out and about be aware of the environment that you’re in. There can be many trip hazards such as loose stones, curbs, uneven paving slabs. Also, plan ahead see what the weather is going to be like. If it’s going to be icy consider whether or not you need to take a walking aid with you or go out with somebody. Visit the Suffolk and North East Essex ICB website for more information.

Transcript of Preventing #FALLS: Lively video

The best way to keep on your feet this winter is to stay active. Moving your body regularly can improve your strength and balance, reducing your risk of a fall. It doesn’t have to be anything too strenuous and there are lots of options, including exercises you can do in your own home or out and about with a group. Visit the website for links to local groups and exercise videos you can follow at home.

Transcript of Preventing #FALLS: Slippers and shoes video

Over one third of people aged 65 and over in the UK have experienced a fall within the last year. It is really important that you have good fitting footwear inside the house and outside the house. So, what is good fitting footwear? So, an example is something that is comfortable, secure and gives you good grip to the floor. I have some slippers here to demonstrate this. So these slippers have good grip, they’re not opened on the back and they’re secure, such as Velcro. And there are various types that you can use. Those are also slippers with access to the back.

So this also includes your footwear outside of the house especially this time of year which is now getting cold, wet and slippy. So ensure that your footwear has good grip, secures to your feet properly and also check the condition of your shoes. When is the last time you’ve looked at the bottom of your shoe? Another good tip that I would suggest is also to check inside your shoe because there might be something in there that your feet can’t feel. So just get your slipper or your shoe, pop your hand inside and have a feel round just to make sure there’s nothing in there before you put your foot in.

[Music]

[Music]

Organisations that can help

Friendly

For people living in Suffolk

The Rural Coffee Caravan is a mobile café that visits towns and villages all over Suffolk. They offer free refreshments and have lots of information about local activities and support services.

But above all, it’s an excellent space to meet your neighbours for a chinwag.

Visit the Rural Coffee Caravan website or call 01284 663 472 to find a friendly welcome, some company and a place to chat, near you.

For people living in Colchester and Tendring

Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST) have a busy calendar of regular groups and events, that anyone can join. From friendship cafes to walking groups.

Visit the CVST website, find them on Facebook or call 01255 425692 for more information.

Age Well East also host a range of inclusive community groups and a friendship service. Sign up to connect with like-minded people or become a volunteer.

Alarm and Look

For people living in Suffolk

As well as personal alarm services and technology that can help you to stay safe in your own home, Suffolk and Essex fire services both offer free home safety visits. They will take a look around your home and offer personal and fire safety advice.

For people living in Colchester and Tendring

Lively

Find exercise groups and strength and balance classes near you. Plus, instruction videos and top tips.

For people living in Suffolk

For people living in Colchester and Tendring

Slippers and shoes

For people living in Suffolk

Check out this Aging Well booklet, which includes tips how to look after your feet.

For people living in Colchester and Tendring

Community 350 offer a warm and welcoming space in Colchester City Centre where you can access a wide range of activities, programs, services, social and wellbeing activities.

Anyone is welcome to drop-in for advice and practical support, including winter packs (which include practical items such as a torch and blanket) and a free new pair of slippers for those at risk of falls.

More tips on staying fit and well

You can access lots of practical advice which could help you stay on your feet via our dedicated Age Well website.

There’s also dedicated advice on managing a range of long-term conditions, including asthma, COPD, diabetes and heart conditions on our Suffolk and North East Essex Wellbeing Support Services website.