Reducing the risk of falling

As we grow older, gradual changes to our health and the medications we take can contribute to an increased risk of falling.

Every year, around one in three over-65s living in the community and one in two people aged over 85 will have a fall.

There are many reasons why the risk of falls and fractures increases with age, including weaker bones and muscles and being less mobile. However, many falls can be prevented and are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but equally easy to fix.

Falls Awareness Week 2014 is about helping to reduce the risk of falls among older people by identifying some of those fixes.

There are many simple changes you can make around your home to reduce the risk of falls – indoors and out.

Checking for hazards which can cause a slip, trip or fall on floors, steps and stairs in the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and garden can help you to reduce the risk of falling.

It is also important to look at and address the fear of falling that some people may have. This anxiety may stem from having already had a fall and can lead to older people losing confidence and becoming isolated and depressed.

We also need to consider the role that medication can play in falls. Some medications including sedatives or strong painkillers can cause drowsiness, while others may alter your vision, hearing or concentration.

If you are worried about falls, Age Cymru has produced a guide called ‘Avoiding slips, trips and falls’. It gives tips on how to reduce the risk of falling at home and includes a self-assessment form about your general wellbeing.

‘Avoiding slips, trips and falls’ is available for free from Age Cymru’s Healthy Ageing Team by contacting them on 029 2043 1555, or emailing ageingwell@agecymru.org.uk. You can also download it from the Age Cymru website – www.agecymru.org.uk.


Rosalyn Williams
Health Initiatives Officer, Age Cymru

Stepping stones to falls prevention

Older people have a right to expect the highest possible quality of life. Sadly a lot of older people have slips, trips or falls and falling can badly damage a person’s quality of life and level of independence.

Falls are not necessarily a natural consequence of ageing and many can be prevented through simple lifestyle changes.

A fall is often the trigger to make people look at their life and take the opportunity to improve their health and fitness and hopefully prevent themselves falling again.

In Bridgend, as part of a falls prevention project, a folder of information has been developed. The aim of the information is to enable people to get the help they need in the Bridgend County Borough Council area as well as good advice e.g. how to adapt their home environment, how to get up if they fall, strength and balance exercises for healthy ageing.

Here are some top tips on preventing slips, trips and falls:

• Remove or tape down loose rugs to avoid slips and trips
• Wipe up floor spills straight away 
• Minimise bending/climbing  
• If you must climb, use proper steps 
• Get up from chairs/bed slowly 
• Have a regular eye test/wear your spectacles and make sure they are clean 
• Avoid trailing clothes which may trip you up 
• Don’t wear sloppy slippers, buy a new pair that fit well 
• Keep stairs free from clutter 
• Keep stairways and halls well lit 
• If prescribed medication is making you feel dizzy, keep taking it, but consult your GP 
• Be aware of pets. Dogs and cats can cause trips and fall if they are around your feet

If you do have a fall:

• Don’t panic – you will probably feel a little shocked and shaken but try and stay calm
• If unhurt look for something to look onto 
• Hold onto a firm object for support, place one foot flat on the floor with the knee bent in front of the body 
• Lean forward putting weight on hands and foot until it is possible to place other foot beside the one on the floor and stand up slowly 
• Sit down and rest for a short time

In Bridgend the Bridgelink Telecare service is a home and personal alarm service which, in the event of an emergency/fall, can automatically contact a 24hour control centre to call assistance. A mobile response team is also available to assist. This service has prevented many hospital admissions and ambulance call outs as the mobile response team, following an assessment, have equipment that enables them to pick a client up from the floor, if they have fallen, to a bed or chair. This service is administered, installed and maintained by Bridgend County Care and Repair.

Health, social care and voluntary agencies are now all actively involved in falls prevention campaigns across Bridgend County Borough Council, the aim being to develop a robust Integrated Falls Pathway for the people of Bridgend.


Anita Williams
Agency Occupational Therapist/Falls Coordinator
Bridgend County Care and Repair

'Don't panic, Mr Mannering!'

How often have we laughed at that phrase on ‘Dad’s Army’ and the craze of mugs and tea towels which echoes the war-time ‘Keep calm and carry on’?

But if you fall, how easy it is to panic! A slip or trip can send you to the ground so unexpectedly and hurt so much that we panic and try to rush to our feet. If we can’t and are really hurt, this can destroy our self confidence, take away our liberty and make us lose our independence in our own homes when we are at an age where we should enjoy our surroundings.

We curse the fact that we did not get those hand rails and supports put into place… and why? Because we thought it would never happen to us. However, here we are on the floor, the Care-Line still on the bedside cabinet and no phone in reach! Only now do we realise that it’s not silly to admit that we’re older, by realising that these aids are out there to help anyone who needs that little extra reassurance when walking indoors or outdoors which rails and other services provide.

It’s best not to fall at any age, but when you’re that bit older it’s never a good idea! Trips and slips rob so many of their self-confidence and independence. Do you want to be one of those, or will you take advantage of ‘Falls Awareness Week’ and seek a little extra help?

Care & Repair is here to help. Any delay might change your life, so stay safe and give us a call!

To contact your local Care & Repair Agency, simply call 0300 111 3333


Lynda Colwell
Agency Manger, Denbighshire Care & Repair

Falls Awareness Week - We need to look after our feet

It’s Falls Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is Best Foot Forward which will look at how healthy feet can help older people to keep their balance and independence.

None of us like or want to fall. Falling can leave older people shaken and bruised, often with broken bones, and half of all over 80s and a third of over 65s are at risk of a potentially serious fall this year.

Falling and the fear of falling can also affect older people’s confidence which stops them getting out and about in their communities, leaving them feeling isolated and cut off from society.

Many of us do not actually realise that there are foot-related health conditions which can affect our balance and increase our risk of falling.

Top tips for looking after your feet:

· Always report any problems with your feet, such as pain or reduced sensation, to your GP or practice nurse
· Wear shoes that fit well. High-sided shoes with low heels and thin soles with a good grip can help if you feel unsteady. Make sure they’re firmly secured with laces or Velcro
· Avoid wearing sandals and shoes with high heels
· Wear slippers that have a good grip and that fasten and stay on properly. Make sure they aren’t loose or worn out, as this may cause you to trip
· Make sure that your trousers or skirts don’t trail on the ground
· Always wear shoes or slippers, and don’t walk indoors in bare feet, socks or tights

So, put your best foot forward and help us to spread the word. Healthy feet can prevent trips, slips and falls so look after yours.

For general information about falls and a link to information about Falls Awareness Week events in your area, please visit www.agecymru.org.uk/fallsweek


Rosalyn Williams
Health Initiative Officer, Age Cymru