Week to highlight the prevention of falls

Throughout the week the Trusts’ staff members will be holding several events. There will be information on displays at Broad Street Plaza, Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary; the falls prevention team will be in the main entrance at Calderdale Royal Hospital on June 19 from 10am to 2pm to give advice to visitors, patients and staff; and a coffee morning organised by AGE UK will be held on June 20, at Central Methodist Church, Todmorden from 10am to 12pm.

Falls Assistant Practitioner, Gary Deighton, said: “Falling does not have to be an inevitable part of getting older. Some older people are so frightened of falling they restrict their activities and lose their independence.”

He added: “We hope that the events and information for national falls awareness week will encourage older people to get their falls risk assessed and take steps to avoid falling in later life.”

The theme this year is feet and footwear – looking at the importance of wearing good, well fitting, supportive footwear and exercising to keep strong muscles and supple joints to help with balance.