Reducing the risk of falling amongst older people – pilot project launched
News from our partners Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
A new pilot project has been launched in Shropshire to help older people reduce their risk of falling – potentially saving the NHS huge sums of money.
County sports partnership, Energize, has been awarded a £138,000 contract by Shropshire Council to create and manage a new Postural Stability Instruction (PSI) network across the county.
Energize, based at Frankwell Quay in Shrewsbury, is now seeking to create a team of independent exercise providers in at least 10 locations across the county, who are qualified to deliver postural stability exercises.
An information session is being held on Thursday 21 September 2017 from 2pm-3pm, at University Centre Shrewsbury, for anyone interested in becoming an instructor.
Falls protection
Laura Kerrigan, senior business manager at Energize, said:
“It is estimated that around 19,000 older people in Shropshire suffer a fall every year – and many of these cause serious injury
“The consequences of a fall for a person over the age of 60 can be life-changing. For example, around 30 per cent of older people who suffer a hip fracture die within a year.
“But this does not have to be an inevitable side-effect of the ageing process. Falls prevention work can help individuals, and take pressure off the NHS and adult social care network at the same time.”
As part of the contract, Energize will deliver a two-year programme of classes, and establish a formal referral route so that community-based PSI exercise becomes an integral part of the falls prevention process.
Energize will work alongside the Shropshire NHS falls and fracture services to ensure patients at risk of a first or further falls can access falls exercise opportunities in the community. The aim is to deliver at least 40 classes in the first two years.
Laura added:
“Latest health guidelines recommend strength and balance training for older people living in the community to prevent falls. But at the moment there is a significant gap in availability.
“We see this as a real community project, and are keen to work with local organisations to reach the people who will benefit the most.
“If we can prove a reduction in the number of preventable falls, and the impact they have on individuals, the health service and social care resources, this pilot project will have been a real success – and hopefully lead to something more permanent.
“We’ve been really pleased the number of people who have already expressed an interest in becoming instructors, but hopefully we will see many more at our session on 21 September.
“We want to create the best possible geographical spread for our classes, including Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Whitchurch.”
Lisa Manning, lead specialist falls physiotherapist with the NHS Falls Prevention team, added:
“We are absolutely delighted with the new initiative.
“We have been running programmes for 12 years and have always hoped for a more defined pathway to help patients maintain and improve strength and balance capability following their initial 12 week intervention with the NHS.
“Evidence indicates that our programmes reduce falls by around 25% and this leads to fewer hospital admissions.
“Whilst there is undoubtedly pockets of excellence within the county to continue exercising this will allow people access to appropriate courses closer to home. Continuing to exercise provides health benefits and also provides an enjoyable social experience.
“We will support this new initiative wherever possible, as the aim of all involved is to provide a better service for all people who have had the misfortune to fall.”
Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, also said:-
“Falls are not a ‘normal’ part of ageing. Many falls can be prevented, using interventions that have been trialled and tested and which have been proved to be effective.
“We are delighted that Energize have been awarded the contract to deliver this new pilot which will help older people to improve and maintain their mobility and reduce their risk of falling.
“Energize will be creating a cohort of instructors who are qualified to deliver progressive and challenging exercises based on the best evidence for reducing the risk of falls, and that these instructors will be working with our local falls preventions services to deliver classes in the community.”
