Falls Prevention

• Doing strength exercises and balance exercises twice a week can reduce your risk of having a fall.
• Make your home safer by removing potential slip and trip hazards and ensuring rooms are well lit.
• Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, can cause unsteadiness, dizziness or fainting. If you have low blood pressure, take your time when standing up, avoid standing for long periods of time, stay well hydrated and eat smaller meals more often.
• Wear well-fitting shoes and slippers that are in good condition and support the ankle. Avoid wearing soft, floppy, loose-fitting or open-backed slippers because these can cause trips.
• Take care of your feet by trimming toenails regularly and see a GP or chiropodist about any foot problems.
• Drinking alcohol can lead to loss of co-ordination and exaggerate the effects of some medicines. This can significantly increase the risk of a fall, particularly in older people. Avoiding or reducing alcohol intake can reduce the risk of falls
• Have your medications reviewed by your GP at least once a year. This is especially important if you take more than four medicines a day.
• Have your eyesight tested each year.

For further details about ways to reduce your risk of having a fall visit The NHS Choices website.

Get Up and Go - A Guide to Staying Steady - The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

How to reduce your risk of falling video - Age UK

A Practical Guide to Healthy Ageing - Age UK

Strength and balance exercises - The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Getting up after a fall - The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Exercises to improve balance and muscle strength - The Royal Osteoporosis Society

Falls self-assessment, support and advice - Falls Assistant – NHS

Stay Active fit and healthy - Active Lives

Video library of strength and balance exercises – Later Life Training

Mobility and balance exercises – 10 Today

Physical activity, including strength and balance, is vital for healthy ageing. Steady and Strong classes are designed to help people over 65 to improve strength and balance, helping you to live independently for longer and avoid falls. Exercises are done both seated and standing, with chair support for those who require it.

Find your local Steady and Strong class and call the instructor to book your place.

Steady and strong information leaflet

If you are not ready to attend a Steady and Strong class, there are strength and balance exercises available on the NHS Choices website that you can do at home.

If you have had a fall in the last three months you may be eligible for support through the NHS, which can include NHS balance classes. Please talk to your GP about local NHS falls services in your area.

Steady and Strong Dance classes blend exercises proven to improve strength and balance with choreographed movements to create a fun and enjoyable class which you can adapt to your own pace.

The classes support people aged 65 and above to regain and maintain their strength and balance, which are vital for avoiding falls and living life independently.

Steady and Strong Dance instructors are all experienced in teaching movement classes to older people. They combine specific exercises proven to prevent falls and improve strength and balance, with the creativity and energy of dance.

No prior dance or exercise experience is necessary. Movements will be done both seated and standing, with chair support for those who require it.

Local classes:
The Point, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE
Wednesdays at 1.30pm
Contact Tori Caine - 023 8017 0828
£5 per class
  
St. Boniface Church, Hursley Road, Chandler's Ford, SO53 2FT
Thursdays at 10.30am and 11.45am (two classes)
Contact Gabriel - 07440 419575
£5 per class

Romsey Abbey Church Rooms, Church Lane, Romsey, SO51 8EP
Wednesdays at 11.30am
Contact Tori Caine - 023 8017 0828
£5.00 per class

If you have had a fall in the last three months you may be eligible for support through the NHS, which can include NHS balance classes. Please talk to your GP about local NHS falls services in your area.

If you have had a fall in the last three months you may be eligible for support through the NHS, which can include NHS balance classes. Please talk to your GP about local NHS falls services in your area.

Falls Friends Champions are volunteers or professionals who increase awareness about preventing falls amongst their communities by delivering Falls Friends talks. The talks explain the causes of falls and how to reduce risks, to enable people to continue to live healthy and independent lives.

Falls Friends talks are designed for anyone interested in helping to prevent someone from falling. They explore the potential causes of falls; such as medication, vision impairment, trip hazards, hydration and how to minimise these risks. The sessions last one hour and are suitable for people concerned about family members or friends, or their own risk of falling.

Champions receive half a day’s training, as well as all the resources they need to deliver the talks. If you would like to become a Falls Friends Champion, please email FallsPrevention@hants.gov.uk