Falls Prevention week 16th-22nd September 2024
As the summer months come to a close, leaves begin to colour and fall, and it’s unfortunately also a sign that “slips trips and broken hips season” will soon be upon us. What a perfect time to talk about Falls Prevention Week.
According to data collected by Taking Care Personal Alarms, an elderly person (over 80 years old) falls every 6 seconds in the UK.
Studies suggest that 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 with fall at least once in 1 year, increasing to 1 in 2 for people over the age of 80.
Furthermore, evidence shows that once you have experienced one fall your risk of falls doubles.
Last year at JRM Physiotherapy we developed a Falls Prevention Programme, which consisted of twelve weeks of group workshops led by two of our Chartered Physiotherapists.
The workshops included education about falls risks, and how to reduce risks of falls in the home. Each session also included a progressive exercise routine focusing on strength and balance, based on the Otago study (a piece of research on falls prevention). The exercises were tailored to the appropriate levels for the participants, based on initial baseline tests.
We also demonstrated safe techniques for getting up from the floor, and practiced this regularly. The aim of this was to give our patients the confidence to get down to floor level to perform tasks and to help them get back up when safe to do so.
We undertook three 12-week programmes over the year, with a total of 48 participants.
At the end of the programmes some of the graduates went on to confidently undertake more advanced exercise classes at local sports centres, and JRM Physiotherapy have been providing a progression for many of the graduates through a Strength & Balance group class run by physiotherapist Thomas in Meltham.
Objective evaluation at the end of the programme (compared with measures taken at start of the programme):
- Faster Mobilisation (walking)
- Larger stride / less steps required
- Improved balance by 12%
Subjective evaluation at the end of the programme showed improved:
- Balance
- Confidence
- Risk Awareness
- Strength
- Fitness
- Safety
- Mood
Participants also reported less fear of falling, and 87% of the participants reported being able to now get up off the floor themselves.
NEW FALLS PREVENTION OFFER FOR WINTER 2024
For Autumn and Winter 2024, we are offering bespoke clinic-based Falls Prevention Sessions with our experienced physiotherapists. These will take place within our well-equipped physiotherapy clinic in Meltham. These sessions are available on a 1:1 or 2:1 basis and involve:
- in-depth assessment
- advice and falls-risk education
- a bespoke progressive exercise programme we will work with you on over a number of sessions
- all equipment provided
These weekly sessions are available to book in blocks of 4.
Please note: A minimum of 4 weeks is required to achieve any benefit from the sessions, so this offer is available for 4-week-blocks. Clinical evidence does recommend that weekly sessions over 12 weeks provides the most likely chance of improvement, but progress will be reviewed at the end of 4 weeks and the opportunity given to book further blocks depending on the needs and wishes of the patient.
Price
1:1 session (1 patient with 1 physiotherapist) £168 for 4 weeks.
2:1 session (2 patients with 1 physiotherapist) £200 for 4 weeks. Bring a friend / partner and save money!
To book, please email us with your details and we will be in touch admin@jrmphysio.com
