Sutton Clinical Commission Group is supporting falls awareness week (June 16 - 22) in an attempt to help vulnerable adults avoid unecessary injuries and the after effects.
"Around one in three adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year, and about half of these will have more frequent falls. While most of these falls don’t cause serious injury, falls can also knock your confidence and make it harder to keep your independence. They can also have serious consequences - physical injuries, such broken bones, may lead to hospital admission and take a long time to recover from," a spoesman for the SCCG said.
"Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable than others. Although you might think that falls are just an inevitable part of growing older, there are lots of things you can do to prevent them. For example, check your home for hazards, such as poor lighting, wires, loose carpets and rugs and slippery surfaces. It’s also a good idea to have your eyes checked regularly; this will help to identify any difficulties with your vision, or changes to your existing eye prescription, that may be affecting your balance and co-ordination. Sometimes medicines or combinations of medicines can make you feel faint or dizzy - you should let your GP know if this ever happens.
"If you have a fall, it is important to keep calm. If you are not hurt and you feel strong enough to get up, move slowly and make sure you rest for a while before carrying on with your daily activities. If you are hurt or unable to get up, try to get someone's attention and if you can get to a telephone safely, dial 999 for an ambulance. It’s important to keep warm, so try and reach for a something warm like a blanket to put over you and if you can change your position at least once every half an hour or so.
Dr Chris Elliott, Clinical Chief Officer of NHS Sutton CCG and a local GP said: “Sadly, Injuries caused by falls are the most common cause of death in people over the age of 75 in the UK. That’s why it is so important to look at the simple steps you can take to prevent or lower the risk of having a fall.”
He added: “If you, or someone you care for, are at risk of having a fall, talk to your GP. We can give you lots of advice and information to help you reduce your risk of falls and the injuries that are caused by them.”