Falling is a common problem but it’s not an inevitable part of ageing.
The ‘Steady on Your Feet’ campaign and self-assessment tool offers practical help and advice and a range of online resources to help reduce the risk of falls.
Kathryn Hodgson, falls clinical team lead, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Falls are the leading cause of accidental death in older people in the UK.
“Around a third of people aged over 65 and half of those over 80 fall at least once a year with an annual cost to the NHS of £2.3 billion.
“The ‘Steady on your Feet’ campaign aims to increase confidence in older people by offering helpful advice, guidance and resources as well as lots of simple tips to help them stay active, independent and safe.”
Falls in older people can often be attributed to a number of causes including reduced strength and balance, impaired vision or hearing, environmental hazards, poorly fitting footwear or changes to diet.
“Falling or feeling unsteady on your feet, can really impact upon a person’s confidence,” added Kathryn. “It can cause distress, pain, injury and loss of independence and not only affects the individual but also their family members and carers too.
“The online ‘Steady on Your Feet’ tool is easily accessible to people within their own home, they can complete it by themselves or with help from family members, at outpatient appointments with help from nursing staff or with help from one of our trained voluntary organisation partners.
“Once completed the assessment will provide a fully comprehensive action plan with ideas, exercise suggestions and helpful advice on what they can do reduce their risk of a fall.”
The tool, developed in partnership between NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough Council, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Cleveland Fire Brigade and local voluntary sector organisations is available at: https://steadyonyourfeet.org/ .
Funding for the online tool was provided by Ageing Better, Middlesbrough, from The National Lottery Community Fund.
If you’ve recently had a fall or felt unsteady on your feet, it can really impact your confidence and the way you get around.
Feeling weak or unsteady can increase your risk of falls. Use our video exercises to keep active and improve bone health, muscle strength, balance and confidence.
Use the self assessment tool to help reduce your risk of falling and increase your confidence. It is designed for anyone who may be worried about feeling unsteady on their feet.
More detail on the campaign and pathway development can be found in the strategy document.
