Falls Service (Somerset Balance and Safety Service)

Getting older is inevitable. Becoming dependent is not. Unfortunately, once somebody has fallen, they can often lose confidence and become dependent on others. There is so much to celebrate in later life including retirement, grand children and time to choose what you do with your days. This is why it is important to maintain good health through regular physical activity and a healthy balanced diet.

Why a Falls Service

Falling is the major cause of nine in ten hip fractures
Measures such as strength and balance training, vitamin supplements and home safety improvements can cut the risk of falls by 50%

Don’t mention the ‘Fall’ word

Anybody, young or old, can very easily fall. Most of us get up very quickly, especially if in public, and feel a bit embarrassed. This can be due to many things that could include tripping, slipping, feeling dizzy, poor sight, poor lighting, ill fitting footwear and so on.

Try out the quick check list to see how safe you are in your home [ 34.5k]

The problem is that when an older person falls, they can often sustain a worse injury than a younger person. This could be because as we get older, bones become more brittle and reaction times may not be as quick as in a younger person. Many falls are preventable. Unfortunately, once someone has fallen and sustained an injury, it can badly affect their confidence.

An excellent service commissioned by Somerset Primary Care Trust as part of POPP, is the Somerset Balance and Safety Service. The service works in different ways to provide services and guidance to individuals. This can vary from providing advice and support to those who may be at risk of falling or for those who have already had a fall. Classes that include strength and balance where participants can learn from each other and support each other, are also provided by this service. This is an opportunity to share information, discuss topics and socialise.

Community Services for Adults - 0845 345 9133

Assessment and information will be tailored in response to the particular needs and lifestyles of individuals.

Why physical activity?

It’s never too late to start!

Regular physical activity can:

• Strengthen muscle and bone
• Strengthen the heart and help the circulation
• Relieve tension and anxiety
• Improve reaction time and co-ordination
• Helps improve mobility around joints and therefore reduces the chance of injury or pain.
• Helps control medical conditions e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, mild depression.

You can enjoy all of the above no matter what age you are. It is very important to choose activities that you enjoy and are varied. Active Living Centres can offer advice and signpost you to activities that will suit your needs and priorities. For example walking groups, community exercise classes, community groups, all of which can provide you with ideas on how to become more active – and it’s sociable!

Where to find your local Active Living Centre

Why Healthy Eating

Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, reduced salt and reduced saturated fat is the advice on healthy eating. It is also important to make sure that you have calcium and Vit D intake as well for bone health. Active Living Centres can provide you with advice and guidance on how to improve your diet and eat well. Some of them also provide lunches and share recipe ideas.

For information on healthy eating visit www.eatwell.gov.uk

To find out more about how to prevent falls in the home visit Home Improvement Agency at http://www.housingcare.org/home-improvement-agencies/hiarea-somerset.aspx

If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know and would like to help them Somerset Direct can help. Just call 0845 345 9133. The phones are handled by experienced staff who can send out information packs on falls prevention or alternatively refer you to a local therapy team.

For more information on Falls prevention

The National Osteoporosis Society www.nos.org.uk
The Disabled Living Foundation www.dlf.org.uk
Help the Aged www.helptheaged.org.uk
Centre for Sustainable Energy www.cse.org.uk
Warm Front www.direct.gov.uk/keepwarmkeepwell

More information

Somerset Balance and Safety Service [ 44.6k]