Falls Prevention

Simple steps to stay steady

Falls are not an inevitable part of getting older - there are simple steps you can take to stay steady, reduce your chance of falling, prevent serious injury if you do fall and keep up and about.

The four key things you can do are:

• Keep active
• Get checked up regularly – eyes and feet
• Get your medicines reviewed
• Make sure you have a falls-safe home

It is also important to be safer when you’re out and about and know what to do if you do fall.

Keep active

It is important to keep  active as we get older. There are loads of different types of activity and exercise – choose one that suits you.

To help with your muscle strength and balance there are six exercises you can do. You can find out how to do the exercises on this short video animation from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

It is important to try and remain physically active, carrying out exercises to maintain muscle strength, balance and flexibility. These can be done in the house or, if possible, in the garden. You should avoid extended periods of sitting, reclining or lying while awake – for example, get up every hour and make a drink or do some housework. All movment counts!

Get your eyes and feet checked regularly

Make sure you get your eyes checked regularly. If you are aged 60 or over, you are eligible for free eye tests on the NHS. Contact your local opticians to book an appointment - some can even come to you!

Take care of your feet and make sure you get them checked regularly. Keep toenails trimmed and make sure you moisturise to avoid painful cracking. See a podiatrist if foot care is becoming more tricky.

Get your medicines reviewed

The older we get, the more likely we are to be prescribed medications for several different health conditions; it is estimated that 36% of people over 75 are on four or more different drugs. Some common ones are associated with dizziness, drops in blood pressure when you stand up or sleepiness - all of which can raise the risk of falling.

Never stop taking any prescribed medication suddenly. Make an appointment with your GP or health professional to get your medications reviewed. Its important they get reviewed every 12 months.

Create a falls-safe home

There are many things you can do to make your home safer:

• Clear away clutter
• Make sure all rugs have non-slip underlay
• Tidy trailing cables
• Ensure stairs are clear
• Consider installing an additional bannister on the stairs or rails in the bathroom
• Think about installing two way switches for landing/hallways
• Use a bedside light when getting up - avoid walking about in the dark
• Book in for a free Safe and Well visit from the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service who can help make your home safer.

Be safer out and about

There are some simple steps you can take to feel safer and more confident outside the home.

• If you need to, use a walking aid, such as walking poles, walking sticks or frames
• Don’t feel pressured to walk quicker than you wish to
• Use a backpack to carry shopping
• Ask the bus driver to let you sit before moving off
• Be careful when entering or exiting shops that are not level with the pavement

Tell someone if you do fall

It’s really important to tell someone if you fall. Tell your GP, and ask for them to review any medication.

Discuss any concerns or worries with your GP or other healthcare professional if you:

• Have had more than one fall in the last 12 months
• Had a fall in your home
• Blacked out, were dizzy when you fell, or found yourself on the ground and you didn’t know why
• Feel dizzy on standing up or when walking
• Feel unsteady on your feet
• Haven’t had a review of your medication in the last year
• Don’t get out as much as you’d like as you’re worried about tripping or falling

Know what to do if you fall

If you do fall and you think you can get up, follow these simple six steps:

1. Roll onto your side, then push up onto your elbows

2. Use your arms to push yourself onto your hands and knees

3. Crawl to a very stable piece of furniture (a sturdy chair or bed) and hold onto it for support

4. Slide or raise the foot of your stronger leg fowards so that it’s flat on the floor

5. Lean forwards and push up using your arms and front leg, slowly rising to standing position

6. Turn around and sit down. Sit for a minute or two to rest

If you fall and you cannot get up:

• Use your pendant alarm if you have one or call nearby neighbours on your phone - put them on speed dial now
• Use your phone to call 999
• Bang on the wall, radiator or floor
• Stay warm. Cover yourself with anything you can find - tablecloth, blanket, rug or coat
• Put a cushion under your head or roll up an item of clothing
• Keep moving. Roll from side to side and move your limbs if it’s not too painful in order to  help keep you warm and maintain circulation
• Keep your fluids up if you can reach a drink

West Sussex falls prevention exercise service

You can access falls prevention support through our dedicated falls prevention exercise service for West Sussex. Strength and balance exercise classes, run by Postural Stability Instructors, are held at venues across the county. This free service is open to adults of ALL ages who are worried about or at risk of falls. Visit the Everyone Health website for more information or phone 0333 005 0095 or email Everyone Health. For professionals wishing to refer clients/patients to this service, please visit the website’s Professional Referral page.

Visit the local Hub pages for more information:

Chichester Wellbeing
Crawley Wellbeing
Horsham Wellbeing
Mid Sussex Wellbeing