Reducing the Risk of Slips, Trips and Falls

26 June 2006
PRESS RELEASE
Reducing the Risk of Slips, Trips and Falls
National Falls Awareness Day – 27 June
Local Therapists in Maidstone and Sevenoaks are organising events aimed at
keeping older people on their feet as part of a National Falls Awareness Day on 27
June.
The Sevenoaks Community Rehabilitation Team will be manning a stand in the foyer
of Sainsburys at Sevenoaks on Tuesday 27 June from 10am – 3pm, and will be
giving out information and advice to older residents on preventing falls and fractures
through exercise and home safety.
Carol Blick, Occupational Therapist developing this service within the Sevenoaks
area said; “Falls are the leading cause of injury and death for people over 75 and
what’s more many are avoidable and shouldn’t be an inevitable part of growing old.
Falls Awareness Day is a good opportunity to get out and talk to older residents
about the services we offer and give practical advice on how they can maintain a
healthy and independent lifestyle.”
Later in the week, the local Falls Team based at the Coxheath Centre will be at
Maidstone Hospital on Friday 30 June, where they will be giving advice to patients
and staff on a range of topics from falls prevention, healthy eating and the
management of osteoporosis. They will be also providing details of local services.
Anna Kitchingham, Occupational Therapist at Coxheath Centre said “Each year 30%
of people over the age of 65 and 50% of those over 80 have fallen and over 400,000
are injured and have to go to A&E. Falls prevention helps older people maintain their
independence and prevents unnecessary emergency admissions to hospital.”
A range of falls services are available within the Maidstone Weald and South West
Kent PCT area. Weekly clinics are run by the therapies teams based at the
Coxheath Centre and Sevenoaks Hospital, where expert health support advice is
offered to patients who have already experienced a fall, and to equip them self help
strategies.

The Therapy teams are employed by Maidstone Weald and South West Kent PCTs
and provide a range of rehabilitative care for people in their own homes or within the
community.
Falls Awareness Day is organised by Help the Aged to raise awareness about the
risk of falling as we age, highlight the factors that may increase the risk of having a
fall, and advise on practical strategies that may reduce this risk. For more
information visit www.helptheaged.org.uk.
END
For further information, contact Diane Beeching, Communications Manager,
Maidstone Weald and South West Kent PCT on 01622 713141, email:
diane.beeching@maidstonewealdpct.nhs.uk.