Falls

Falling, or feeling that you might fall, is not an inevitable part of getting older.

A fall may be the first sign of a new or worsening health condition (e.g. infection, dehydration, etc) so it is important to tell your doctor if you do have a fall.

The more details you can remember about your fall(s), the easier it is to pinpoint a cause. So think carefully about:

When it happened – Was it related to a particular time of day? Were you doing something specific at the time?

How it happened – Was it a loss of balance? Did you trip on something? Did you feel dizzy? Did you blackout?

Where it happened – is there a trip hazard you could remove? Have you fallen in this place before? If so, why could this be?

Often, rather than one specific reason, there may be a number of underlying risk factors which have played a part, many of which can be reduced by following some simple advice.

These issues may include:

Muscle weakness
Poor balance
Difficulties walking or inappropriate walking aids
Dizziness
Environmental hazards
Pain
Vision and hearing problems
Foot pain, deformity or numbness
Badly fitting or unsupportive footwear
Memory loss or confusion
Poor nutrition or hydration
Medications
Pre-existing health conditions
Bladder and bowel conditions
Mood, anxiety or being worried about having a fall
Alcohol consumption

Falling can have an impact on your confidence which may then lead to a vicious cycle of you doing less and further possibility of you falling.

Taking a pro-active approach, even if you haven’t had a fall, will help you take control of the situation and allow you to remain active and independent for longer with an improved quality of life in the long term.

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.