A “fall” sounds like a simple thing: children fall over all the time and usually bounce right up again. Yet as we get older, falls can have serious and lasting effects, and we need to do what we can to prevent them.
A fall can knock our confidence, which might mean we get up and about less, which in turn increases the risk of a fall. Yet while falls are serious, we don’t need to panic: there is a lot we can do to prevent them, and to recover if we have one.
Falls Prevention Week runs this month, and there’s plenty of advice and lots of activities to help older people avoid the troubles that a fall can bring.
The first thing is to be aware of the things that increase the risk of a fall. These include:
- Trip hazards and things around the home that could cause a slip, such as a power cable, a loose rug or a spill in the kitchen.
- Moving too quickly, especially standing up too rapidly, can cause us to lose balance or become light-headed
- Dehydration can cause dizziness: make sure you have plenty to drink. Also consider getting a toilet aid and keeping your bathroom clear of obstacles, so that a trip to the loo doesn’t become a falls risk.
- Some medication can make us light-headed, especially in combination with other medicines. Ask your pharmacist if any of your prescriptions might increase your risk of a fall: there might be an alternative.
- Staying active, carefully: it’s important to keep exercising and living our normal lives, while staying aware of the risks of a fall. There are lots of local groups and clubs that help you stay fit in ways that reduce the risk of a fall.
- Keep your home well-lit, and get your eyes tested regularly. It’s important to be able to see where we’re going, even in a place we know well. Put the light on if you need to get up at night.
- Shoes and slippers: good shoes or slippers with grippy soles are a good investment. Get a pair that are comfortable and secure without being too tight.
There is a lot of good advice and information available from both Hertfordshire County Council and Essex County Council, as well as from the NHS nationally.
Locally there is a Falls Car covering west Essex, that has helped over 1,000 people in its first year. It responds quickly to people who have had a fall, to help them recover and offer advice on staying safe at home. Other local support includes:
- Isabel Hospice runs a five-week aging well course, which includes a session on falls prevention, and also runs monthly falls prevention sessions.
- Epping District Council runs a series of sessions called Social Active Strong. These include lots of advice on staying active and avoiding falls.
- Garden House Hospice runs a number of community hubs, which among other things offer seated exercise sessions to help people stay active.
- HertsHelp and the Essex Wellbeing Service both offer lots of information about local groups and services.