Falls prevention | Stay Healthy | Wakefield Connect to Support

There are ways you can reduce your risk of having a fall. This can include making simple changes to your home and doing exercises to improve your strength and balance.

If you have fallen in the past, you can make changes to reduce your changes of having another fall. It can also help you overcome any fears of falling.

Some older people may be reluctant to seek help and advice as they believe their concerns will not be taken seriously. But all healthcare professionals take falls very seriously as falling can have a big impact on someone's health.

You should discuss any falls you have had with your GP. Your GP can carry out simple balance tests to check whether you're at an increase risk of falling in the future. They can also refer you to useful services in your local area.

Some tips to prevent falling at home are:

immediately mopping up spillages,
removing clutter, trailing wires and frayed carpet,
using non-slip mats and rugs,
making sure all rooms, passages and staircases are well lit,
organising your home so that climbing, stretching and bending are kept to a minimum, and to avoid bumping into things,
getting help to do things you're unable to do safely on your own,
not walking on slippery floors in socks or tights,
not wearing loose-fitting, trailing clothes that might trip you up,
wearing well-fitting shoes that are in good condition and support the ankle,
taking care of your feet by trimming your toenails regularly and seeing a GP or podiatrist (foot health professional) about any foot problems.

Doing regular strength exercises and balance exercises can reduce your risk of having a fall. You can do this by doing simple activities like walking or doing specialist training programmes.

The Aspire Health Referral Programme can help you to be healthier. It will support you to make changes that can improve your health. The helps you to find the activities that will best suit you. You can find more information about this here.

Having an untreated visual impairment could increase your risk of falling. You should look after your eyes and have an eye test if your eyesight get increasingly worse. You can find information on the Wakefield District Sight Aid website about support with sight loss.

Drinking alcohol can significantly increase the risk of a fall. If you fall over when you have had alcohol, you could be more likely to suffer worse injuries. You might not be able to prevent yourself from falling or protect yourself because of the effect it is having on you.

You should avoid alcohol, or reduce the amount you did, to reduce the risk of having a fall.

Turning Point Inspiring Recovery can provide support for people who have substance abuse issues. You can find out more and get in contact with them on their website.

Health professionals and other staff can help by:

Routinely asking older people about falls.
Knowing how to recognize the signs and assess the risk.
Understanding the referral pathway to local services that reduce falls risk.
Help individuals to improve their health, making every contact count and signposting individuals to local support available.
Providing up to date patient information about falls prevention.
Ensuring individuals are having regular eye checks, and know to contact an Optician if they are concerned about their eyes in any way.

Other Support

MY Therapy see patients within the Wakefield District who require assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services. The team is made up of Physiotherapists (PT), Dieticians, Occupational Therapists (OT) and Support Staff.

For advice or to refer directly, you can call 01977 747471.

Visit their website to find out more about what they offer.

Care Link supports people to be more independent at home. They can provide you with equipment and support to do this.

Safe and Well is a free service offered by West Yorkshire Fire Service. A firefighter or prevention officer can visit you in your home and carry out a fire risk assessment.

You will be given advice on how to reduce the risk of a fire in your home. You can find out more information on their website here.

Live Well Wakefield is a social prescribing and supported self management service for adults in the Wakefield District.

They help to connect people with local services and activities to support them with their non-medical needs.

There are also a variety of workshops that support people to improve their wellbeing, you can find information on what workshops are available here.

For more information, call 01924 255363 or visit their website.

Falls Assistant is a website that can help to prevent falls. You can create an action plan, complete a self-assessment and find out more information. You can visit the website here.

Falls Prevention Week 2024

Falls Prevention Week 2024 will be on 16th September to 22nd September 2024.

There will be events and activities happening throughout the Wakefield District to bring awareness to falls and how to prevent the risk of falling.

During Falls Prevention Week, MY Therapy will be going to Time to Tea events throughout the Wakefield District. You can pop along to learn more about preventing falls, nutrition, hydration, fitness and home adaptations.

The events MY Therapy will be attending are:

Tuesday 17th September, 10am to 12pm at Morrisons on Dewsbury Road.
Tuesday 24th September, 3pm to 5pm at Sainsburys on Ings Road.
Wednesday 25th September, 10am to 12pm at Morrisons in Knottingley.
Monday 7th October, 10am to 12pm at Tesco in Hemsworth.