Falls Prevention
Falls are the leading cause of injury in people aged 65 and over living in the community but they can be prevented with a well-considered programme of intelligent exercises.
After a fall, an older person has a 50 per cent probability of having their mobility seriously impaired. Falls can destroy confidence, impair function, increase isolation and reduce independence. Strength, flexibility, balance and reaction time are considered the most readily modifiable risk factors for falls.
Healthy movement is an essential part of being able to remain autonomous (as independent as you choose to be) and maintaining a sense of freedom as you age. It is easy for movement deficits to emerge without us noticing because changes take place so slowly.
One example is a phenomenon known as "festination". This is where a person's stride, over time, becomes shorter and shorter. This eventually leads to instability, especially when a person becomes off-balance. If combined with a loss of proprioception (awareness of where our body and limbs are in the space around us) and a loss of flexibility, a person can find themselves moving their feet very fast to keep up with their leaning body. Festination leads to falls and is often but not always associated with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's.
Trials and systemic reviews now provide clear evidence that falls in older people can be prevented with appropriately designed intervention programmes. In particular, the home-based Otago Exercise Programme has been shown to reduce rates of falls and injury by as much as 35%. It is a muscle strengthening and balance retraining programme delivered by a trained physiotherapist.
For more information on our FRAILTY PREVENTION EVENTS click here.
If you are concerned about your own well-being with regard to falls or if you have a relative or friend who you think may benefit from such a programme please do not hesitate to contact us.
Cambridge Physiotherapy Team: 01223 654 332
Huntingdon Physiotherapy Team: 01487 773 088
After a fall, an older person has a 50 per cent probability of having their mobility seriously impaired. Falls can destroy confidence, impair function, increase isolation and reduce independence. Strength, flexibility, balance and reaction time are considered the most readily modifiable risk factors for falls.
Healthy movement is an essential part of being able to remain autonomous (as independent as you choose to be) and maintaining a sense of freedom as you age. It is easy for movement deficits to emerge without us noticing because changes take place so slowly.
One example is a phenomenon known as "festination". This is where a person's stride, over time, becomes shorter and shorter. This eventually leads to instability, especially when a person becomes off-balance. If combined with a loss of proprioception (awareness of where our body and limbs are in the space around us) and a loss of flexibility, a person can find themselves moving their feet very fast to keep up with their leaning body. Festination leads to falls and is often but not always associated with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's.
Trials and systemic reviews now provide clear evidence that falls in older people can be prevented with appropriately designed intervention programmes. In particular, the home-based Otago Exercise Programme has been shown to reduce rates of falls and injury by as much as 35%. It is a muscle strengthening and balance retraining programme delivered by a trained physiotherapist.
For more information on our FRAILTY PREVENTION EVENTS click here.
If you are concerned about your own well-being with regard to falls or if you have a relative or friend who you think may benefit from such a programme please do not hesitate to contact us.
Cambridge Physiotherapy Team: 01223 654 332
Huntingdon Physiotherapy Team: 01487 773 088