What to do if you have had a fall
If you suffer from falls you are not alone. One third of people over the age of 65 will fall each year. In Lambeth and Southwark this equates to over 16,000 people.
What causes people to fall?
There are many reasons why people fall, they may include:
- multiple medications
- poor balance
- weakness
- arthritis
- dizziness
- heart problems
Can anything be done to stop me from falling?
By getting in contact with the right services this could prevent or lower the number of falls you have. This could include:
- visiting a doctor to check your overall health and investigate your symptoms - for example, a medication you are taking may be causing you to feel dizzy;
- having tests to check how well your heart is working;
- seeing a physiotherapist who can check your muscle strength and balance and recommend exercises to improve these;
- seeing an occupational therapist to talk about how you cope at home - for example, there may be some equipment that you could use to make things easier;
- having your eyes or feet checked.
Where do I go for help
If you are having falls or are afraid of falling, please contact your:
- GP;
- practice nurse;
- district nurse; or
- social worker
They can give you advice, assess you and/or refer you to the falls clinics, there are 4 falls clinics in Lambeth and Southwark. The clinics have a team of professionals dedicated to finding the cause of your falls and preventing future ones.
Self assessmet to decide who to contact about your falls.
If you are unsure as to who you should best contact regarding your falls, please complete the self assessment form which can be downloaded here.Click Here This is designed specifically for residents of Lambeth and Southwark, however if yo do not live in these boroughs, the assessment will give you an indication of the types of professionals you should contact in your area.
EXERCISE PROGRAMMES IN LAMBETH AND SOUTHWARK
Exercise programmes, run by qualified exercise instructors, are available in the community and in your home.
Community classes are held for one hour each week and specifically designed for people who have had a fall or fear they may fall in the future. Information is also given about how to exercise at home. Classes are currently held in:
- Alver Bank Salvation Army Hall, Clapham
- Archbishop Sumner Primar School, Kennington
- Camberwell Leisure Centre, Camberwell
- Darwin Court Community Centre, Walworth
- Dulwich Library, Dulwich
- Dulwich Mead Sheltered Accommodation, Dulwich
- Stockwell YMCA, Stockwell
- Streatham Leisure Centre, Streatham.
If you wish to carry out exercises in your own time, you can choose the home exercise programme option. Exercises are prescribed specifically for each person by one of our qualified instructors. You should do these exercises three times a week to improve muscle strength and balance and lower the risk of further falls.
How can I join an exercise programme?
To join a community exercise class or be taught a programme at home, download the application form here.
Community Exercise application form- (Microsoft word document: 175kb)
