Falls and Fracture Prevention Service (West Sussex)

Download the Falls Poster

Aims:

• To maintain/improve independence, restore function and support the well being of adults at risk of falling or who have fallen.
• To prevent avoidable falls
• To reduce the risk of injury as a result of falls
• To improve strength and balance
• To improve confidence

We are a community team comprising of Physiotherapists,
Occupational Therapists and Technicians. Teams may have access to Nurses, Pharmacy or Consultants/Rapid Access Clinics

Our service is for adults who meet 3 of the following:

• Multiple falls in the past 12 months
• Falls at home
• Requiring ongoing rehabilitation
• Previous fracture over the age of 50
• Diagnosis of osteoporosis
• Balance/stability/lower limb weakness
• Significant fear of falling

We provide and help with:

• Assessment in your own home
• Rehabilitation programmes and practice
• Provide advice and teach strategies
• Home Based Exercise Programmes
• Group Exercise Programme
• Assessment and provision of equipment for activities of daily living
• Health Promotion
• Training programmes for community health & social care staff and staff in care homes

Strength and balance exercise group in Chichester

The Chichester Falls and Fracture Prevention Team have been running a strength and balance exercise group at the Chichester Baptist Church Hall since June 2011.The Programme is for 16 weeks, every Thursday from 2pm to 3.30pm. There are usually between 8 to 15 people who participate in each group and they are identified following referral to the service and assessment at home for their suitability.

Each session provides targeted strength, balance and endurance exercises which are done in sitting and standing. The amount of support individuals require are continuously assessed by the therapy team.

As part of health promotion and falls awareness, there is a short education / advice section which follows the exercise session. Examples of these are: Healthy Eating, Incontinence, Vision and Sight, Anxiety Management, Sleep Issues, Foot care, Benefits of exercise, Osteoporosis, Home Safety, Getting up from the Floor.

This has been a hugely successful programme with people experiencing measurable improvements in overall strength and balance, gaining confidence and reducing their fear of falling. The Chichester Team are hoping to start a second group in Bognor Regis later this year.