People that receive home care have their homes risk assessed for trips and falls to point out to them potential problems, but people, also, need to take responsibility for their fitness as they grow older. People need to be aware of the simple steps that can be taken to help prevent the potentially devastating consequences of a fall.
Falls remain a major cause of injury and death amongst the over 70s and account for more than 50 per cent of hospital admissions for accidental injury. Evidence shows that specific programmes for improving strength and balance can reduce the risk of falls by as much as 55 per cent. However, with one in five older people admitting that they cannot remember the last time they did any exercise, more work needs to be done to encourage older people to take exercise. In fact it is all our interests to stay fit throughout our lives and make fitness a good habit.
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK (the charity that is an amalgamation of Age Concern and Help the Aged), said: “Despite costing the NHS over £4.6 million each day, adding up to £1.7 billion per year, the issue of people in later life falling over is all too often dismissed as an inevitable part of the ageing process. The reality is that there are a number of things older people can do help prevent falls, such as exercises to improve strength and balance, and more should be done to promote and support this.”
Older people need to get involved with exercise classes, for more information on how you get involved visit the Age UK site fit-as-a-fiddle . The Age UK programme is called “fit as a fiddle”, the aim is to have fun and at the same time getter fit and stay fit.
There are programmes taking place in Hampshire and are being run in conjunction with U3A (University of the third age) and open to people 50 and over. Why not try out some Nordic Walking as it a good overall body workout? These courses are being funded by the National Lottery so they are being offered free to start with and with nominal cost after that.
Everycare (Central Hants) offer Care in your own Home and want to support people in living longer and healthier lives.
By Mike Frizzell Everycare (Central Hants) Ltd www.everycarehants.co.uk