Guild Care’s Healthy Living Centre at Methold House, North Street, Worthing is organising a Falls Awareness Day on Friday 25 June from 10am to 3pm as part of Falls Awareness Week.
People over the age of 65 are encouraged to bring in your old pair of slippers for an Mot and join a taster exercise session! The Hospital Falls Team will be on hand, there will be advice on foot care, taking care of your eyesight, Health Trainers, the Community Partnership Team, the Handy Van service and Red Assure. Free tea and coffee, free goodie bags and a free raffle as well as the coffee bar being open for refreshments.
Falls Awareness Week (21-25 June) is a national event hosted by Help the Aged (now Age UK) to raise awareness of the prevalence and dangers of falls and their potentially dangerous consequences. After the age of 65, 30% of individuals fall at least once a year and this rises to 50% beyond the age of 80.Half of those who have fallen report a heightened fear of falling again with its attendant lack of confidence and independence; this is understandable as 95% of all hip fractures result from a fall.
The Worthing and Adur Community Partnership team in conjunction with the Falls Prevention Team – West Sussex Health, is running two information events to mark the day on Tuesday 22nd June 2010. One is outside the entrance of the Tesco Store in Durrington, Worthing and the other outside the Somerfield Store in Shoreham by Sea. Both will run from 10am until 1pm and there will be an opportunity to speak to NHS Health Advisors, Social workers, Community Link Workers and members of the Falls Prevention Team who can give information and advice about falls prevention and reducing the risk of falls.
Community Partnership Teams provide older people with the information and practical advice and support they need to remain independent in their own homes. For further information contact 01273 268900.
The Falls Prevention Team aims to maintain / improve independence, restore function and support the well being of adults at risk of falling or who have fallen. We also aim to prevent avoidable falls, improve strength, balance and confidence. For further information contact 0845 092 0414 option 3.