Background Information on falls and falls work
Adding Life to Years, the Chief Medical Officer's expert group report on the Healthcare of Older People (January 2002), recommended that "NHS Boards should ensure that falls assessment services are available".
The Scottish Executive wrote to local partnerships of NHS Boards, NHS Trusts and local authorities on 16 August 2002 to assess what falls services where in place. The responses confirmed that although falls prevention was a priority issue and many areas had falls clinics, the services were patchy with some areas having better provision than others.
To raise awareness on falls prevention a conference was held on 26 November 2002. It also highlighted the Physical Activity Task Force's recommendations for falls prevention; outlined current developments in the Health Education Board for Scotland (now known as NHS Health Scotland) falls prevention programme and network and share best practice of falls prevention initiatives. Over 450 health and social care professionals attended
Following the conference:
- NHS Health Scotland sent a falls prevention resource pack, including the conference report Taking positive steps to avoid trips and falls, to almost 5,000 health professionals throughout Scotland in February 2003.
- The Scottish Executive wrote on 31 March 2003 to local partnerships of NHS Boards, NHS Trusts and local authorities to follow up the conference report.
- NHS Health Scotland commissioned research to assess the nature and uptake of the falls prevention resource pack, available as Health in Later Life: Evaluation of the NHS Health Scotland Falls Prevention Scheme (November 2003).
Resources - NHS Health Scotland
- Taking Positive Steps to Avoid Trips and Falls - a booklet (reprinted 2005) and video (2003): this video and booklet pack is designed to help older people at risk of falling and their families to understand the risk factors and preventive measures.
- Lets Get Moving (new 2005) - a resource pack with booklet, video or DVD designed to promote physical activity in older people.
- Step Up to Safety (2000) - information for older people on how to use the stairs safely. This notes that every year over one million people suffer a non-fatal injury when they fall in the home, with nearly a third of these falls happening on the stairs. Some of those who fall, especially older people, will lose their confidence, be badly injured or may often experience long term loss of independence as a result.
The leaflet is designed to give practical advice and simple steps to reduce the risk of falling on stairs.
- Eat Well, Stay Active (1997) - a colour booklet explaining why it is important for older people to think about their nutrition, with information on shopping, useful aids, keeping active and independent.
These publications can be viewed through NHS Health Scotland's publications catalogue under Health in Later Life http://www.healthscotland.com/publications/PubsCat2005_2006.pdf
Resources - Help the Aged
- Staying Steady (May 2005) - a 16 page leaflet endorsed by the British Geriatrics Society with sections on practical advice, improving your strength and balance, checking your eyesight, managing your medicines, checking your home environment, looking after your feet, dealing with anxiety about falling, help from the NHS, community alarms and what to do if you fall.
- National Falls Awareness Day 27 June 2006 - provides the opportunity for everyone, including older people, local practitioners and other organisations, to highlight the good work going on in falls prevention and to celebrate success.
The aim of the day is to focus on positive activities and events which can be done now to lay the groundwork for a healthy older age tomorrow. This year's theme of preventing future deprivation will focus on reducing the risk of falls and fractures to maintain independence and mobility into healthy later life. The day is open to anyone with an interest in falls. NFAD may give the chance to work in new ways with different people. For example, an event or activity with local physiotherapists or chiropodists, with the pharmacists to run medicines check, with a local community or religious group or with the local media. Access more information and a NFAD pack at: http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/Health/HealthyAgeing/Falls/_falls_awareness_day.htm