Falls prevention
Falls affect a great many older people. As people age the ability to recover balance during a slip or trip is often slowed, and reduced muscle strength can make it even harder to recover this balance. For some people this can lead to broken bones and hospitalisation.
Risk factors:
- taking four or more different medications
- poor memory
- poor eysight
- taking too little or no exercise
- wearing badly fitting shoes or slippers
- hazards within the home environment
Having osteoporosis will increase the risk of a fracture following a fall.
Age UK Milton Keynes, the Primary Care Trust, the Hospital Trust and the Council work together to reduce the risk to older people from falling.
People can be assessed at home to see if they are at risk from further falls. There are often small practical measures that can be taken, or things that can be changed to reduce the risk of falling or reduce the complications that can arise following a fall.
At the moment Age UK Milton Keynes does not have a Falls Prevention Officer in post. Please make any enquiries about the Falls Prevention Service to:
Falls Prevention Co-ordinator
Bletchley Community Hospital Site
Whalley Drive
Bletchley
Milton Keynes MK3 6EN
Tel: 01908 379440
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/falls-awareness
Friday morning walks in Stony Stratford
Why not come along and join us, every Friday at 10am for a gentle walk of around 40 minutes? Sometimes we walk along the river, sometimes through the linear park among the trees. There is always something new to see according to the changing seasons and we have a chat as we stroll along. The walking group is organised on a voluntary basis and usually repairs to a local cafe for tea or coffee afterwards.
Meet up at the corner of Prospect Rd and Mill Lane, near the car par park. Ring for more information 01908 550700.