Self Care Week roadshow aims to reduce the risk of falls

Self Care Week 2016 is being marked by the Department of Health and Social Care with a Falls Prevention Roadshow at venues across the Island between Monday 14 November and Friday 18 November. 

Kate Beecroft MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care, will launch the week long campaign at 10am on Monday 14 November with the first roadshow, which is being held at the Crossroads Care Shop on Strand Street in Douglas. 

The Minister said:

'To some people a campaign to prevent falls may seem a minor area to target, but it is actually a major issue for both older people in our community and our health and social care services.  

'Falls can be very painful and sometimes result in a broken bone which requires a stay in hospital.  Each year approximately 86,000 people in the UK have a fall which results in a fractured hip, for example. About 30% of people over the age of 65 have a fall each year, increasing to 50% in people age 80 or older. In the Isle of Man, falls are one of the most common reasons for an ambulance callout. 

'As you can imagine falls can have a significant impact of quality of life for our older population. I fully support this initiative which aims to raise awareness about the serious impact of falls, as well as ways they can be prevented.' 

Staff and volunteers will be on hand between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm each day to offer advice and support about falls prevention to members of the public who would like more information for themselves, a family member or neighbour. 

Elaine Hayes, the Island’s Falls, Fragility and Fracture Nurse, said: '

This is a fantastic resource for the public, enabling them to be able to talk to healthcare professionals and allowing the time and opportunity to seek advice and support about reducing the risk of falls.'

The following staff will be available at different locations throughout the week (not all staff will be present at all locations): 

• Pharmacist (bring along your medicines and have a chat with a pharmacist)
• Falls and Fragility Fracture Nurse
• Audiologist
• Eye Care Liaison Officer
• Physiotherapist
• District Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Self-Care Nurse
• Long Term Conditions Coordinator
• Podiatrist 

Anyone requiring further information can contact the event organiser Ann Corkill, Senior Nurse for Self Care, on 811830 or ann.corkill@gov.im.