Falls

Falling or feeling that you might fall is not an inevitable part of ageing. It's important to recognise that a fall may be a sign of a health issue that needs attention.

If you do experience a fall, it’s important to talk to your GP or a health professional. They will help to identify potential causes and ensure you receive appropriate care.

Gathering Information About Falls

The more details you can remember about a fall, the easier it is to pinpoint a cause. Take some time to reflect on the following things:

When it happened: Note the time of day and your activities leading up to the fall. Was there anything specific you were doing at that moment?

How it happened: Try to remember whether it was a loss of balance, tripping on an object, feeling dizzy, or might you have had a blackout? These details can be useful in working out why it happened.

Where it happened: Think about where you were when you fell. Are there any potential trip hazards that could be removed? Have you fallen in the same place more than once? Are you aware of any reasons for this?

Multiple Risk Factors

Falls often result from a combination of risk factors. Common risks and tips to reduce them include:

Muscle weakness: Strengthening exercises can help make your muscles stronger, and help you to respond to overbalancing more effectively.

Poor balance: Moving more and doing some balance exercises can help you feel more stable when moving around.

Dizziness: Consult a health professional to identify the cause of dizziness and receive appropriate treatment.

Environmental hazards: Remove or address potential trip hazards in your home to create a safer environment.

Vision and hearing problems: Regular eye and ear check-ups can find issues early and allow for appropriate treatments.

Foot problems: Foot pain, deformities, or numbness can be helped with proper footwear and foot care, giving you a more stable base to stand on.

Footwear: Make sure that your shoes are supportive, comfortable, and fit well.

Memory loss or confusion: Keeping your brain healthy is essential. Stay mentally active with puzzles and brain exercises and consult a health professional if you’re noticing memory changes.

Poor nutrition: A balanced diet can support overall health and reduce the risk of falls.

Dehydration: Dehydration can lead to dizziness and falls. Make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day, especially in hot weather.

Pain and other Health Conditions: Managing any co-existing health conditions well, and reducing pain, will help optimise your body and reduce the risk of falling. Speak to a health professional for advice if this concerns you.

Medications: Review your medications at least once a year with your GP or pharmacist to minimise side effects that may contribute to falls.

Bladder and bowel difficulties: Problems such as urgency can increase the risk of falls. Speak to a health professional for advice or support.

Drinking: Limit alcohol and consider caffeine intake, as drinking these can affect response, balance and coordination.

The Confidence Factor

Anxiety and experiencing a fall can affect your confidence, potentially leading to a cycle of reduced activity and an increased risk of falls. Being proactive is essential, even if you haven’t yet had a fall. This approach empowers helps you to take control of your situation, enabling you to remain active and independent for longer, with an improved quality of life in the long run.

Did you know that your GP Practice also has a service called Social Prescribing? Social Prescribers can provide support and advice on non-health-related issues, such as stress, loneliness and debt. They can also help to connect or signpost you to local support services, activities or groups. To access this service, contact your GP surgery and request a referral.

Links and Resources

To learn more about falls, explore the following resources or to complete a self-assessment and develop your personalised action plan:

NHS UK: Falls overviews and prevention

Complete your Self-Assessment now

Swindon Borough Council

Swindon Borough Council’s care and support information and advice website

Live Well Swindon

Live Well Swindon provides advice and support about being active, falls prevention, stopping smoking, weight management, connecting to communities and volunteering, managing long-term health conditions and staying independent. It also delivers a range of activities and programmes designed to inspire, motivate and assist people to live well and benefit from a healthy lifestyle.

For more information about Live Well Swindon:

Phone: 01793 465513
Email: livewell@swindon.gov.uk
Visit Website: The Live Well Swindon Hub

Otago

Otago is an evidence-based falls prevention programme for adults aged 65 and over. Sessions are delivered by Live Well Swindon as a 16 week course across Swindon for a small fee. Sessions involve strength exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the hips, legs and ankles, and balance exercises to help increase stability and improve confidence when walking and performing everyday activities.

For more information, please contact the Live Well Hub:

Phone: 01793 465513
Email: livewell@swindon.gov.uk
Visit Website: OTAGO

NHS Choices

NHS Choices is really helpful for all aspects of health and wellbeing on their website. You can find useful resources on falls prevention here at www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls

What’s on When Guide

A WOW Guide is produced by Home Instead and lists some local activity and exercise groups. This is available through website: The Swindon WOW Guide or by phoning Home Instead on 01793 988537

Age UK Wiltshire

Age UK Wiltshire provides a range of services to help older people stay safe, make informed choices and be independent yet connected. For more information about our services please contact 0808 196 2424 or see www.ageukwiltshire.org.uk.

As part of the Swindon Falls Collaborative, through our Supportive Independence project, we support people 65+ to become more active and better connected to their community. [Web link will be available in the next couple of weeks.]

We run three Fitness and Friendship Clubs in Swindon - Social clubs for older people with an emphasis on keeping active which are open to all older people who would like the opportunity to take part in activities and gentle exercise - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/wiltshire/activities-and-events/fitness-and-friendship/.

The Adult Social Care Team

The Adult Social Care Team provides information to older people, adults with physical disabilities and carers, to help make informed decisions and access appropriate services. They can provide help with equipment and adaptations for daily activities, help at home and support within your caring role. Telephone 01793 463333

Support for Carers

If you look after an ill, frail or disabled family member, partner or friend then you are a carer. Swindon Carers Centre can help carers by making their caring role more manageable.

If you are an adult carer please call 01793 401090.
For young carers please call 01793 401091.

More information is available at The Swindon Carers website

NHS 111

111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It’s fast, easy and free. Call 111 to speak to a trained advisor supported by healthcare professionals. Alternatively you can visit https://111.nhs.uk

Rehabilitation

For further information on rehabilitation for Falls and Bone Health in Swindon, please contact the Community Rehabilitation Team, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on 01793 607710

Swindon Community Hub

Sanford House brings together under one roof, a wealth of help, advice and information for the residents of Swindon. Located in Sanford Street in Swindon, it is a hub for a range of organisations including Citizen’s Advice, the Carers Centre, Healthwatch Swindon and Swindon Mind. They provide information and advice face to face or by telephone on 01793 466633.

Healthwatch Swindon

Healthwatch Swindon is the independent champion for people who use health and social care services, there to make sure that people are put at the heart of care. Share your views, feedback, experiences and questions regarding health and social care with them. Visit www.healthwatchswindon.org.uk for more information.