Falls Awareness Week 2023
14 September 2023
Falls Awareness Week runs from 18 – 23 September. This year the theme is ‘From Awareness to Action’ serving to remind us that preventing and reducing falls calls can be achieved in a few easy steps.
Have you, or someone you know, had a fall or become concerned about falling? Or perhaps you have noticed changes to your balance or mobility?
Falls occur in 30% of adults aged over 65. Although most do not cause serious injury they can significantly affect confidence and independence.
Falls are not an inevitable part of getting older; there are lots of things you can do to help stay steady and prevent falls.
Top tips:
- Keep active and avoid sitting for long periods
- Manage your health by having regular eyesight, hearing and medication checks, eating a balanced diet rich in calcium, and keeping hydrated
- Look after your feet with regular foot care and wearing well-fitting shoes and slippers
- Improve your home safety including removing trip hazards and ensuring adequate lighting
- If you have had a fall or feel anxious about falling, speak to someone; a health professional, family member or carer
- Consider making an action plan for how to cope in the event of a fall
For further information or advice the Falls Prevention Service is a free service available throughout Herefordshire, which is provided by Wye Valley NHS Trust (WVT). The service provide a comprehensive assessment and advice and support to reduce risk of falls and injuries, improve strength and balance, regain confidence and independence, and know how to cope in the event of a fall.
You can contact The Falls Prevention service on 01568 617309 Monday to Thursday during office hours, or at fallsreferrals@nhs.net
Talk Community have created a Falls Prevention guide, to help identify if you are at risk of falling and offer advice on the steps you can take to look after yourself in and outside of the home
