Falls Awareness week

Council marks Falls Awareness Week with a stall in South Street

Thursday 27 June 2013

​A resident has their blood pressure taken at the Falls Awareness Week stall

​Hundreds of people sought advice and information about falls prevention during annual Falls Awareness Week (Monday 17 to Sunday 23 June).

The national week, organised by AGE UK, was marked by Havering Council, and partners including NELFT (North East London Foundation Trust), with an information stall in South Street, Romford on Wednesday 19 June.

 

As well as information and advice, visitors could also have their blood pressure taken to check on their general health and wellbeing and try out the balance master, which helps people to improve their balance.

 

The theme for this year’s event was ‘Best Foot Forward’, therefore a range of advice was offered on the importance of keeping feet fit and healthy to maintain good mobility and independence for older people to prevent falls.

 

Councillor Steven Kelly, Cabinet Member for Individuals, said:

 

“We all know how debilitating a fall can be for an elderly or vulnerable person; it can really knock their confidence and take a while until they are back to full health.

 

“Therefore, it’s important that we do everything we can to prevent these falls from happening in the first place. I am pleased that so many people visited our stall and hope they all took away some worthwhile advice for the benefit of themselves, their friends and family or someone they help to care for.”