Falls Programme helps older people to keep their independence

Media invitation

Date: Friday 14th June
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Day Hospital, Walnuttree Hospital, Sudbury

Older people at risk from falls are benefiting from Reducing the Risks of Falls classes at Sudbury's Walnuttree Hospital. Media are invited to attend a class on Friday 14th June at 10.30am to take photographs and interview the participants.

The service began operating earlier this year, and now helps nine people every month. Patients who have fallen in the past or may be at risk of doing so can be referred to the service by their GP, district nurse or social worker. They then attend the Falls Programme, run by West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust, one morning a week for seven weeks.

The programme at Walnuttree Hospital includes a full assessment of physical, mental and environmental factors, patient education and various forms of exercise. By reducing the risk of injury due to a fall, the programme allows older people to keep their independence and remain at home rather than go into care.

“The Reducing the Risks of Falls Programme basically helps older people to examine their lifestyle and make changes that will lower the likelihood of them having a fall,” said Sheila Harvey, senior occupational therapist. “Exercise plays an important part in this and building up individual confidence is also vital. I like to think of it as a self-help group. There is a good group atmosphere because people are able to meet their peers in a supportive environment and share similar experiences.”

Falls are a major cause of disability and the leading cause of mortality due to injury in people aged over 75 in the UK. Every year over 400,000 older people in England attend A&E Departments following an accident and up to 14,000 people a year die as a result of a hip fracture.

Osteoporosis increases the risk of fracture when an older person falls. One in three women and one in twelve men over 50 are affected by osteoporosis.

The Government's National Service Framework for Older People states that all NHS Trusts should develop a falls service by April 2004. The service at Walnuttree Hospital means that older people in the Sudbury area are able to benefit from the programme well before this date.

The Walnuttree Falls Reduction Team consists of senior occupational therapist Karen Line, Sheila Harvey, senior physiotherapist Halcyon Mandlestrom, senior nurse Annette Rodriguez, consultant geriatrician Dr Greener , as well as occupational therapy assistants. The programme follows the latest research-based guidelines, which recommend that people who fall receive an integrated, multi-disciplinary care package. They are given a comprehensive assessment, which includes a visit to their home to see if any changes to their environment could reduce their likelihood of falling.

Note:

Reporters and photographers attending the media facility on Friday 14th June should ask for Sheila Harvey or Halcyon Mandlestrom at the Day Hospital on the Walnuttree Hospital site.