Presenting the Presentation

Fiona O'Driscoll

Health Promotion Officer

South Gloucestershire Council

Falls Awareness Training

What makes people fall? What are the implications of falling? Identify potential areas of personal

and environmental risks Understand what can be done to

prevent falls, and who can help

Aims & Objectives

Heart conditionsStrokesFalls

159,000 deaths per year

152,000 strokes per year

2,700,000 per year

4,000 deaths per year in the over 65’s

How big a problem is falls?

In England, the number and rate of serious injuries from falling is increasing at around 10% every year.

Hip fracture incidence has been projected to increase Hip fracture incidence has been projected to increase by 50% by 2020.by 50% by 2020.

Falls and fractures in people aged 65 and over account for 4 million bed days

Costs associated with fragility fractures estimated at £2 billion a year

Approximately 30% of people over 65 years of age living in the community fall each year.

Falls In Older People

Group Activity – Personal Risk Factors

Why do older people fall?

List the personal risk factors you think could make an older person more likely to

fall

Medication

VisionBlood Pressure

Balance

Main Personal Risk Factors

What are the implications?

Physical injuries Loss of independence Psychological Social impact Carer impact Cost to services

Group Activity – Environmental Risk Factors

Why do older people fall?

List the environmental risk factors you think could make an older person more

likely to fall

Risky Behaviour

Trip Hazards

Slippery Surfaces

Footwear

Environmental Risk Factors

Ask about falls

Use a Falls Risk Screen

Home Hazard – self assessment tool

Identifying people at risk

4. Film

Head Over Heels DVD

What can be done?

Medical – investigations and medicine review Exercise – strength and balance training Home Hazards – O.T. and Care & Repair Raise Awareness – with everyone

Think ‘Why did they fall’ Use this Avonsafe Training Pack

What makes people fall? What are the implications of falling? Identify potential areas of personal

and environmental risks Understand what can be done to

prevent falls, and who can help

Any Questions?

Recap: Aims & Objectives

Thank you for listening – please fill in the evaluation sheet before you go.

This training package has been put together by the Avonsafe Older Peoples Group in partnership with Awareness Training Group and Lifeskills.