Teignbridge supports Falls Awareness Week

Teignbridge residents are encouraged to share their personal stories at a new awareness event aimed at the dangers of slips, trips and falls in the home.

Those who have suffered an injury in their own home - or know someone who has - are invited to attend the story sharing event to highlight the problem to others and help find a solution.

The event brings together a range of professionals, led by Teignbridge District Council, who are working together in a pioneering programme of work aimed at reducing the number of people suffering trips and falls in their own home

It takes place at the Alice Cross Centre, Bitton Park Road, Teignmouth, on Wednesday 19 June between 10am and noon and forms part of Age UK’s Falls Awareness Week which runs from 17-21 June.

Research has shown that elderly people who live in unsafe or poorly heated homes are at increased risk of health problems and are more likely to injure themselves.

Teignbridge won a bid to the Design Council, a national organisation which works with selected public and private sector authorities in designing schemes which improve the lives of local people.

Teignbridge is leading on a series of projects aimed at providing safer homes for older people. Initially this work will concentrate on East Teignmouth, an area which has a high prevalence of trips and falls.

The project brings together a range of partners working in health, social care, the voluntary sector and housing. They are Teignbridge, the Design Council, Devon County Council, Teign Housing, Volunteering in Health, the Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth, Volunteering in Health and NHS professionals including GPs, Occupational Therapists and Community Matrons.

By working together all the partners hope people will become more aware of what can cause trips and falls so those who need it get better more timely access to support and help and make any necessary changes so they can remain living in safe, secure and warm homes.

It also has an impact on council and NHS budgets and puts additional strain on the public purse.

The 2011 Census shows that the number of Teignbridge residents over the age of 65 stands at 29,270 and that is predicted to rise in the years ahead. The over 65 age group is particularly vulnerable to trips and falls in the home.

Figures show there was 1,214 admissions for falls in Teignbridge to A&E in 2009-2011 – the second highest in Devon.

The cost of treating a hip fracture is £13,000 in the first year and £7,000 for the subsequent year. Fragility fractures account for costly aftercare, with an average hospital stay of 26 days and over 1,000 deaths each month.

Julia Street, of the Alice Cross Centre, said: “We are really pleased to be hosting this event. It’s the best way of figuring out how these types of accidents impact on people’s lives and the lives of those around them, including partners, carers or relatives. We want to understand the issues so we can put them right and we would encourage as many people as possible to come along and tell us their story or come along and listen to the impact a fall has had on someone’s life.”

Cllr Philip Vogel, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Planning, said: “Teignbridge made a commitment to support older people with their housing needs and opportunities through its Council Plan 2011 – 2015 and this project fits within that commitment.

“This is a really great opportunity for us and all our partners to listen to what people have to say and look at new ways of doing things. Lots of people never fully recover after they have suffered an accident of this kind in the home. We want to make sure we are all doing our best to ensure people stay happy and safe and homes are hazard-free. We would encourage people who have suffered an accident – whether minor or otherwise – to come along and tell others about how it affected them.”

Cllr Sylvia Russell, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Spokesperson for Health and Wellbeing, said: “This event, part of Falls Awareness Week, comes at a time when Public Health has shifted into the hands of Devon County Council. Here at Teignbridge we are already looking at lots of ways to deal with this in partnership with Devon, GP commissioning groups and all our other partners.

“The Health & Wellbeing Strategy for Devon has a priority to reduce falls in vulnerable populations and encourage self care and independence in older people. We have all got an important part to play and this holistic approach will bring all the expertise together under one roof so we can look at developing new ways of working to tackle the health priorities of the area.”