Falls Prevention

Hands on walking stickFalling is a common problem throughout our lifetime but as we get older the risk of injury from falls gets greater.

What can you do to help
protect yourself from falling?

  • Make your home safer - Remove clutter from floors and stairways and lift loose mats.  Avoid trailing flexes.
  • Look after your eyesight - Have your eyes tested at least every two years.
  • Take care with your day-to-day activities - Sit down to wash and dress, use a non-slip bath or shower mat, take your time and put on a light when getting up to go to the toilet at night.
  • Look after your feet - Wear well fitting shoes.
  • Keep active - Regular exercise such as walking or gardening will help your balance or strength.
  • Look after your health -Get the flu and pneumonia vaccine
  • Wear a pendant alarm

For more information on falls and how to avoid them, please contact:

Leesa Houston                                           
Senior Health Promotion Officer                
Health Improvement Service                     
Spruce House                                            
Cushendall Road                                       
Ballymena                                                
Telephone: 2563 5575
Email: leesa.houston@northerntrust.hscni.net      

Sharon Love
Falls Injury Prevention Nurse
Orel House
2-8 Castle Street
Antrim
Telephone: 9442 6100
Email: sharon.love@northerntrust.hscni.net

You may also find our Falls Prevention Service information and The Ups and Downs of Falling leaflet useful. 

Other general information on preventing falls can be found on the Help the Aged website http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/.