Keeping you safe from trips and falls

Older people who may be at an increased risk of falling have taken part in an event at Farmborough Court Intermediate Care Centre to find out more about what can cause falls and how to prevent them.

Local residents were invited along to the informal event where they could drop in and have a mini assessment to determine their risk of falling and find out how to stay safe. Staff carried out seated and standing blood pressure tests, asked questions about sight, hearing, and medication, and flagged up anything that could increase a person's risk of falling.

Those who attended could also have their equipment checked, and staff replaced worn ferrules on mobility equipment as well as provided replacement walking sticks for those who needed new ones.

Pradeep Chockalingam, Sunderland City Council's Falls Coordinator, said: "Falls are a common cause of injury, with around 1 in 3 adults over 65 and half of the over 80s having a fall at least once a year, but if we take the right actions early so many falls could be avoided.

"We've brought together colleagues from across health and social care services to remind ourselves of the importance we all play in working together to support the city's residents to both avoid and recover from a fall, because from our nurses, social workers and therapists to our equipment officers and care assistants, falls are everyone's business."

Staff from across Sunderland City Council and Sunderland Care and Support have been undergoing special training sessions to ensure they have all the skills to keep residents safe. The experiential training has included trying out goggles that mimic impaired vision so the wearer can understand first-hand what it is like to experience dizziness and sight loss.

Cllr Kelly Chequer, Sunderland City Council's Portfolio Holder for Healthy City, said: "Falls Awareness is an extremely important subject, particularly for the elderly, who are some of the city's most vulnerable people.

"As well as the risk of injury and limited mobility, falls can lead to a loss of confidence and independence. It's so important that we can take this community-based approach to falls, so we are able to support residents to live healthier and more independent lives as they get older."