Event to get residents in step for improved wellbeing

Event to get residents in step for improved wellbeing

Older residents are being urged to put their best foot forward for a special event on 24 February aimed at reducing falls.

The ‘Step into Spring’ over 60s wellbeing event will see community health professionals from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust as well as representatives from Age UK and other leading charities offer top advice to help reduce hospital admissions as a result of falls.

The most recent figures available show that between April 2012 and April 2013, there were 804 admissions to hospital in the over 65 age group in Rochdale borough as a result of falls. Of these 577, or 72%, were women.

The event, which takes place at Rochdale Town Hall on Tuesday 24 February, will offer free podiatry sessions to check foot health.

Falls prevention advice will also be on offer, with visitors finding out about small changes they can make in their home to greatly reduce their risk of an accident.

Free slippers will be available on the day, as research shows that ill-fitting slippers are a major cause of falls in the home. Visitors can also have a free bone density check to find out whether they are at risk of osteoporosis and get advice from health trainers on how to lose weight and give up smoking to improve their overall health.

Angela Gafney, Pennine Care’s Falls Co-ordinator for the Rochdale borough, said: “Our community-based service is dedicated to supporting older people who have experienced a fall, or who have been identified as being at risk of having a fall.

“We work closely with them to look at the safety of their home environment, for example identifying tripping hazards. We discuss strategies to support them, for example exercise classes to improve balance and generally ensure they have the right care and support in place. We also screen for their risk of osteoporosis, which will reduce the chance of them fracturing a bone should they have a fall.

“Our overall aim is to reduce the risks of recurrent falls and fractures, which are common. This will help to keep older people out of hospital and support them to remain as independent as possible.”

The Royal Voluntary service will speak to residents about schemes they can access locally, such as the befriending service, and a host of local housing associations will be showing people the kind of accommodation they could access should they choose to move house.

The event was organised by the council with support from housing associations and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), who helped fund the event. The event takes place from 10.30am to 2.30pm on Tuesday 24 February.

Councillor Cecile Biant, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: “Our risk of falls increases as we get older and they can have a really damaging effect on people’s health and wellbeing, leading to hospital stays and prolonged periods of inactivity. We would urge people to come to this event to find out how simple changes can make a huge difference to older people’s health and wellbeing.”