DON’T MENTION THE F WORD

DON’T MENTION THE F WORD

By Jo Henwood

There’s a joke amongst mainly women of a certain age – never say ‘I’ve had a fall’ – it makes you sound old.

There’s nothing funny about falling. In fact, we all need to know how not to do it. But most of us are like the 60 something lady who, when asked by Age UK if she’d welcome advice on preventing falls, said she’d probably think ‘that’s for old ladies, not for me”.

Good advice often falls on deaf ears (pardon the pun). Yet one in three adults over 65 will have at least one fall a year. Most do not result in serious injury. But they can cause the person to lose confidence.

Occupational therapist Hayley Almond is part of a specialist Rehab at Home team, supporting people as they’re discharged from hospital after hip surgery, including injury due to falls.

She explains: “People are often in shock that their independence has been taken

away; they may find it difficult to rely on carers, even if they are friends and family.”

Occupational therapist Vikki Turner leads a dynamic team that includes a physiotherapist and therapy assistants. They liaise with dietitian, podiatrists, district nurses, GPs, and orthotists to support every aspect of a patient’s life.

“We look holistically at what the person needs at home to stay safe, recover and regain their independence,” says Vikki. Soon after someone leaves hospital, they are visited at home to assess their mobility, balance, range of movement, and muscle power. The team also looks at what can be done to make it safe and easy for the person to move around their home, use the bathroom, get up from chairs, and other activities we take for granted when we’re fit and able.

A physiotherapist will plan exercises someone can do whilst sitting, standing, or lying down. They’re often simple but highly effective.

The team works with other services to get help in other areas of the person’s life where they need extra support, such as a mental health condition, alcohol or drug dependency, a cancer or dementia diagnosis or a recent bereavement.

Their aim is to return someone to their original level of strength, ability and independence.

What advice would they give? “Don’t compare yourself with others. Everyone’s situation is different, and your recovery will be too.”

For advice on avoiding falls visit: nhs.uk

Illustration: Ella Byworth