About this event
Falls Prevention Week (18-24 September) is a national health campaign to increase awareness around falls health and injury prevention. Falls are a common, but often overlooked cause of injury. Around 1 in 3 adults over 65 and half of people over 80 will have at least one fall a year. Whilst most falls do not result in serious injury, in Somerset around 8 people over the age of 65 are admitted to hospital every day as a result of a fall.
The effects of a fall on an older person can be devastating and not only physical but a fall can also have a serious psychological effect which can lead to a lack of confidence, increased isolation and it can rob people of their independence.
It is important to recognise the signs of physical decline, not only in ourselves but in our friends and families too. Signs to look out for include:
- Reduced movement (inside and outside)
- Disengaging from regular activity
- Feeling weak or in discomfort
- Unsteady on feet
- Fear of falling
There are many things that can be done to prevent falls from happening and strength, flexibility, balance and reaction times are considered the most readily modifiable risk factors for falls. Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership and Age UK Somerset both offer a programme of activities to help our older people stay active and build up strength.
