‘Get up and go’ advice for the elderly

NEW handbooks which provide advice and information to help older people avoid falls are being given to patients on non-emergency transport vehicles across Wales.

The “Get Up and Go” booklets are being distributed thanks to a partnership between Public Health Wales, the Welsh Ambulance Service and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

The work is part of the “Steady On, Stay SAFE” national falls prevention campaign for older people.

One in three people aged over 65 fall every year, and more than half of people aged over 80 fall at least once a year.

Most can be prevented without people having to stay indoors or cut back on their normal activities.

Ann Potter, 83, from Swansea, received the booklet after dislocating her hip. She said: “I was very pleased to be given the booklet, and wish that I had seen it prior to my fall. It has been a great help to build up my strength and has made me more aware of the importance of keeping active.

“I follow the exercises in the booklet, and have made little changes like parking further away from the supermarket, and gardening.”

Philippa Ford, Public Affairs and Policy Manager for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in Wales, said: “The profession is absolutely delighted that the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust is now using our ‘Get Up and Go’ booklet.

“Developed in partnership between Saga and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, it covers a range of falls prevention aspects and includes exercises for strength and balance and guidance on getting up from a fall. This is a great contribution to the ‘Steady On Stay Safe’ campaign.”