9th July 2025
Age UK reports that over one-third of older adults are worried about falling, identifying it as one of their top concerns about ageing. Falling significantly impacts quality of life, as well as physical and mental health. Falls and fall-related injuries can be a common and serious issue for older adults. Those aged over 65 are at the highest risk, with 30% of people over 65 and 50% of people over 80 experiencing at least one fall per year.
The Belfast Trust Community Falls Prevention and Management Service is a multidisciplinary service comprising of a Nurse, Pharmacist, Falls Activity Practitioners, Occupational Therapists, and Physiotherapists. They offer Belfast Trust residents aged 65 and over a tailored intervention package, based on individual assessments, to reduce their risk of falls.
On Wednesday, 14th May 2025, the Community Falls Prevention and Management Service, with the support of the PHA and the BHSCT Health Improvement Team, held their inaugural Falls Prevention Roadshow at IKEA Belfast. Colleagues from other Trust Services including Podiatry, Sensory Support, Public Health Dieticians and Health Improvement/Active Belfast as well as the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service; and the Community Connected Care Hub contributed at the event.
The event ran as a drop-in to deliver the ‘FALLS PREVENTION DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION!’ message through practical tips, advice and demonstrations on how to:
· Staying safe at home and avoiding taking unnecessary risks
· Keeping active and how to get up from the floor
· Looking after your feet and footwear
· Minding your health and medicines
· Checking your vision and hearing
· Taking care of your bones and eating a balanced diet.
The Roadshow was a great success, with over 80 attendees of all ages. The event had a positive and engaging atmosphere, and the feedback from attendees was fantastic:
“Very well organised, very informative!”
“Thank you so very much for all the great information – excellent.”
“Everybody very friendly and helpful as well as informative.”
93% of those who attended the event said that it had significantly increased their knowledge of falls prevention.
The next Falls Prevention Roadshow will be held on Wednesday, 17th September 2025, from 11am to 2pm at IKEA Belfast (First Floor Restaurant, Community Space). Please come along and give Falls Prevention Your Attention!
