Falls Prevention Service
Falls in older people often results in reduced mobility, fractures, fear of falling, loss of independence and isolation. The Wolverhampton Falls Prevention Service is a multidisciplinary team offering tailored assessment, treatment and advice on how to reduce the risks of falling and enable older people how to cope after a fall. They promote independence and improvement in physical and psychological functioning.
The service also provides training for health professionals, social workers and volunteers working with older people in the community, and carers working in residential and nursing homes, to develop and maintain basic professional competence in falls assessment and prevention.
How to access the service
Anybody can be referred who meets the criteria below. They also accept self-referrals.
Details of the referral criteria / process
The Falls Screening Tool will identify those who are at risk of falling and indicate what action should be taken. The Falls Screening Tool can be used on anybody who meets these criteria:
- 60 years or older
- Living in the Wolverhampton borough
- Not wheelchair or bed bound
NOTE: Where a person is living in a residential or nursing home, information/training will be offered to the care provider.
Locations where the service is provided
The service covers the whole Wolverhampton borough.
Contact details
Falls Prevention Service
West Park Hospital
Park Road West
Wolverhampton
WV1 4PW
Telephone: 01902 444502
Fax: 01902 444345
When is the service available?
Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm
Any Other Information
- The ‘Balanced for Life’ programme is a series of information and health education on reducing the risks of falling. This programme is open to anybody who is referred to the service.
- Weekly exercise classes are provided to improve strength, balance and endurance.
News
National Falls Awareness Day
National Falls Awareness Day takes place on Tuesday 24th June. This year’s theme ‘stepping out’ is about encouraging older people to take part in physical activity essential for healthy ageing. With this in mind the Wolverhampton Falls Prevention Service has joined up with ‘Walking for Health’ and will be encouraging service users to sign up for walks throughout the week.
According to Sport England’s ‘active people survey’, only 16% of 55 – 64 year olds and 6% of 75 – 84 year olds regularly take part in recreational activity and yet it is an important part of staying mobile and promoting bone health.
Walking for Health run a number of walks every week in Wolverhampton that are suitable for all age groups and abilities. Highlighted below a few of these for you to join (the falls prevention team will be available at these particular walks during the week (23 - 27 June) to answer any queries).
- Monday - 10.00am West Park (meet at Devon Road entrance)
Level: easy - 1 to 2 miles
- Tuesday - 10.30am Bantock Park (Meet at tea rooms, Finchfield Road)
Level: easy to moderate - ½ to 1½ miles
- Wednesday - 1.00pm Graiseley Park (meet Graiseley Community Healthy Living Centre, Pool Street)
Level: easy - 1/3 to 2 miles
- Thursday - 10.30am All Saints (meet at Dixon Street, Kent Road Park at Dixon Street entrance)
Level: easy 1 to 2 miles
- Thursday - 10.30am Penn (meet at Dr Cowen’s Surgery, 119 Coalway Road - Please use rear entrance)
Level: Moderate - 1½ to 2 miles
- Friday - 10.00am Phoenix Park (meet at Phoenix Health Centre, Parkfields)
Level: easy - ½ to 2 miles
Please arrive ten minutes before the start of the walk.
If you are interested please contact the Falls Prevention Service on 01902 444502 or click here to see the associated press release.
Walking for Health have a monthly timetable detailing walks which take place in Wolverhampton - click here to view the latest timetable
Falls Prevention Service celebrates 100th Balanced for Life education session
The Wolverhampton Falls Prevention Service are celebrating their successful 100th Balanced for Life education session.
Falls are a leading cause of death due to injury, with an estimated 2000 fallers attending Wolverhampton Accident and Emergency per year. The consequences of falling are injury, fear of falling, loss of confidence, social isolation and depression.
The Falls Prevention Service in Wolverhampton is unique in that it focuses on social inclusion which includes the Balanced for Life education programme for patients that have been referred to the service.
Programmes are held several times during the year, with each session lasting 1½ hours. Transport for participants is provided by social services.
Topics covered in the session includes home hazards, equipment to assist with day to day tasks, exercise, managing a fall, osteoarthritis, medication, benefits, continence, healthy eating and osteoporosis.
The number of people attending the programme has risen dramatically since first starting, with just over 260 people attending in 2007, compared to just over 50 attendees when the programme first started in 2001.
Participants have said that after the sessions, they have become more active, more confident in doing daily chores and that they have benefitted from the useful advice and tips that were given.
For more information on the Balanced for Life education sessions, please contact the team on 01902 444502.
