Falls Prevention

A third of all older people aged over 65 will have a fall every year, and it can have a major impact on their lives in terms of physical and emotional wellbeing. However, falls are not an inevitable part of ageing, there are many ways to reduce risks. Our Falls Framework: Reducing risk and harm sets out our approach for preventing falls.

Stay Steady Virtual Clinics

The evidence around exercise helping to prevent falls has been used to develop community-based strength and balance classes in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan by qualified exercise instructors.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented the delivery of many of the health board’s face-to-face services, we are now offering virtual Stay Steady consultations and advice sessions via telephone and video.

Stay Steady clinics have been offered in a community setting for the last two years, and are aimed at individuals who may be at risk of falling. Individuals attending a clinic can undergo a ‘fitness MOT’, have a detailed assessment of potential falls risks and receive advice on how to maintain strength, balance and general health as they get older.

All of this advice and the assessment can now be offered through our virtual clinics, which are available to residents of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Email your contact details to the team or or call 02921 832552, and the team will get in touch with you within a few days.

Stay Steady Clinics Video Resources

English Version

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Welsh Version

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Falls Prevention Fuel Tank

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board produced the ‘Falls prevention fuel tank: when did you last check yours?’ video, which uses the analogy of the fuel tank in a car, and the idea of ‘checking and topping up your tank regularly’ to help prevent falling. The fuller your fuel tank, the lower your falls risk.

Simple things can top your fuel tank to help reduce your falls risks, such as keeping yourself hydrated, medication reviews, blood pressure checks, eye tests and keeping yourself active.

The video was produced with funding from Public Health Wales and Cardiff & Vale Health Charity.

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Strength and Balance Exercises

There are a range of exercises that can have a big impact on strength and balance which can reduce the risk of having a fall. Also, If you do have a fall, improving your strength and balance can make all the difference to your resilience and recovery.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists have put together this short animation below highlighting 6 strength and balance exercises which, if done regularly, can help to reduce the risk of falls.

It is important to maintain a healthy diet in order to improve physical strength and increase energy levels.

Intergenerational Falls Awareness: Staying Steady Schools

2018 saw the first run of the ‘Staying Steady Schools’ project, which brought together primary school children and older adults, along with university students, for intergenerational learning about falls.

The project, which is a Bevan Commission Exemplar, was created by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Schools and university students can find out how to get involved by contacting the Cardiff and Vale Local Public Health Team.

The health board has also produced a children’s book featuring a story about falls prevention and healthy ageing, based on the Steady On… Stay Safe campaign. It is designed for children and older adults to read and learn about falls together, highlighting the impacts a fall can have and some suggestions for ways to reduce the risks. Read an e-version of the book.

Other Useful Resources

The Ageing Well in Wales website has useful resources for those who are at risk of falling or have fallen.
The Royal Voluntary Service website has further information about how falls can be prevented.
The Public Health Cymru Network website has further falls prevention information.

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