People aged 65 and older have the highest risk of falling; around a third of people aged 65 and over, and around half of people aged 80 and over, fall at least once a year, which subsequently increases the risk of serious injury and hospital admission.
The Steady on Your Feet campaign is a self-guided falls prevention programme running across South Tees, aimed at people aged 65 and over. It provides falls prevention, advice, guidance and education on steps an individual can take to reduce the possible risks of falls. Whether you’ve fallen recently, you’re caring for someone who has fallen or are worried about, yourself or a loved one’s risk of falling, this programme is designed to support you.
Steady on Your Feet Falls prevention advice and guidance can be accessed via the Steady on Your Feet South Tees Website or booklet. The information provided covers a variety of potential fall risk factors including possible medical causes of falls, medications, nutrition, vision, dizziness, memory, also movement and exercise.
If an individual is concerned about their environment a Home Safety Checklist is also provided as part of Steady on Your Feet, which supports identifying potential hazards around the home, making it easier for both individuals and carers to take proactive steps toward preventing potential falls.
Another key part of Steady on Your Feet is forming an action plan, which is self-guided, personalised and tailored to the persons specific needs. The aim of the action plan is to ensure and support people to know what to do if they do fall. For example, it might just be as simple as keeping your mobile phone on your person and calling a family member or friend to let them know, or identifying the importance and need for a pendant alarm system to call for help in an emergency.
Over the past six months, Laura Porritt has been leading on the pilot in both the Falls Team and within the Single Point of Access Multiple Disciplinary Team in South Tees, supporting individuals to utilise Steady on Your Feet and access both health and care services and community networks.
Laura explains, “Falls don’t just affect the person who has fallen; they impact family members, loved ones and carers too. Falls can be both physical and psychologically damaging to an individual, leading to a loss of confidence, independence, and quality of life. If your loved one has fallen, or if the person you're caring for is struggling with their functional ability or confidence, it can be distressing for everyone involved”.
Steady on Your Feet is aimed at empowering individuals and families with self-guided knowledge they can implement and use to prevent falls. Its goal is to help people live at home as long as possible, maintaining their independence and enjoying the physical and psychological benefits that come with having an action plan in place.
Laura adds: ‘Another aspect of my work and role over the last 6 months has been around networking and spreading the word to other professionals, agencies and community groups about Steady on Your Feet, but also learning and understanding their roles and what their services can offer individuals. This has enabled me to signpost individuals for further support and input, to not only health services but onto community support networks – ultimately making every contact count.
For example, some individuals may benefit from support with movement and exercise, and not necessarily require input from a therapy health service. My networking has provided me knowledge and understanding arounds community classes which support individuals and carers with movement and exercises and social groups to regain confidence and reduce social isolation.
Steady on Your Feet and my role offers a holistic approach, addressing a variety of factors not only related to falls. For example, many people don’t realise they can self-refer to adult social care services for assessment of needs around packages of care, sitting services, support for family or loved ones or further support regards entitlements, such as welfare right and citizens advice."
Though Laura’s role will finish at the end of March, Steady on Your Feet will continue to be provided by multiple services within the South Tees trust and in several community agencies who have been trained in providing falls prevention advice and guidance such as, Age UK, Reach and Respond and Connect. It will also remain accessible online.
Laura adds, “Through Steady on Your Feet, I’ve learned so much about the support available to individuals and how valuable it is for people in the community. It plays a big part in proactive care—helping to reduce hospital admissions and providing essential support for individuals and carers.”
To find out more about the programme go to
South Tees website - https://south-tees.steadyonyourfeet.org/
Laura also shared this patient case study highlighting the impact and significance of projects like Steady on Your Feet and the work of professionals like Laura.
