Boost your Bones - National Falls Awareness Week

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Hampshire County Council is promoting National Falls Awareness Week by supporting Age UK's Boost your Bones initiative, with a series of mini road shows across the County.

National Falls Awareness Week runs from 18 to 22 June and is raising awareness of the serious consequences that can result from a minor trip or fall such as osteoporosis and fractures.

Through out the week Hampshire County Council's Falls Prevention Co-ordinator will be working with Community staff from Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and local support groups of the National Osteoporosis Society, to run a series of small road shows at various supermarkets, libraries and shopping centres to give advice and information on falls, bone health and promoting the importance of exercise for preventing falls.

You can catch the teams at:

Monday:

• The Discovery Centre, Winchester (10am - 12pm)
• Locksheath shopping centre (10am - 2pm)

Tuesday:

• Gosport Discovery Centre (10am - 2pm)
• Asda Totton (9:30am - 12pm)

Wednesday:

• Church Cottage, Basingstoke (10am - 1pm)
• The Phoenix Centre, Andover (2:00pm - 3:30pm)

Thursday:

• Asda in Havant (9:30am - 12:30pm)
• Lymington Hospital (1:30pm - 3:30pm)

Friday:

• The Point, Eastleigh (10am - 12pm)
• Petersfield Town centre (10am - 3pm)
• Hayling Island Health Centre (9am - 11:30am)

All week - Displays at Fleet Hospital, Alton Hospital, Gosport Hospital, Petersfield Hospital and Aldershot Centre for Health

Having a fall can be a serious problem for older people; every year around 30 per cent of over 65s and 50 per cent of those aged over 80 have a fall, often resulting in serious consequences, both physically and psychologically. In addition to bruising, fractures, and in some cases, death, a fall can destroy confidence, increase isolation and reduce independence and well being.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Felicity Hindson said:

"A fall can be a serious set back for an older person and we want to raise awareness amongst older people and their families on how they can be avoided."

"We carry out a huge amount of work each year with our partners in the NHS and voluntary organisations to make sure older people in Hampshire are able to stay as independent as possible, through gentle exercise techniques, bone health and informed advice. National Falls Awareness Week gives us a platform to make our work even more visible and I hope you will be bale to visit one of our road shows."

Jill Phipps, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Falls Prevention Officer, said:

"Osteoporosis is a silent disease which results in weakened bones and a higher risk of fracture. One in two women and one in five men are at risk of an osteoporotic fracture after the age of 50 but the disease may not be recognised until the person has suffered several fractures, which are often painful and debilitating.

"We are delighted to be out and about during National Falls Awareness Week with the Portsmouth Osteoporosis Support group and Hampshire County Council to raise awareness of the problem of falls and Osteoporosis. We will be providing advice on how to 'Boost your bones' and encouraging anyone over 50 who has had a fracture to contact their doctor and ask for a bone health assessment."

The team are currently busy encouraging partner agencies, community groups and schemes to think of their own event to hold during the week. If you are thinking of running your own event you can register it at www.ageuk.org.uk to receive helpful promotional material, balloons and a banner. If you would like to more advice on how you can join in, contact Sophie Jevons, Falls Prevention Physical Activity Coordinator on 01962 846605 or email sophie.jevons@hants.gov.uk.

• Falls Awareness Week 2012

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