Offering Older People A Helping Hand

May 25, 2012 - PRLog -- Health and care organisations have launched a campaign to cut the number of older people suffering falls in their own home.

The groups have produced a report with the NHS Confederation which calls for the strategy for reducing falls to be more joined-up with closer working relationships between the NHS, local government and social care services.

The NHS Confederation says under the current system not enough is being done to prevent people suffering another fall after the first incident. The Confederation, which represents NHS managers in England, said an ageing population means fall prevention should be a major priority.

Leading charity Age UK has joined the initiative as part of its Falls Awareness Week 2012 (18-22 June).

Getting older is an inevitability that we all face.  With old age come the joys of retirement, life-experience and knowledge, time to see friends and perhaps grandchildren to dote upon.  But things might not always be so rosy.

Falls and fractures are a serious threat to older people's health, wellbeing and independence, affecting one in three people over the age of 65. Falls cause pain, distress and loss of confidence and can have serious consequences. They are more likely to happen at home.

The rising costs of running care homes and of hospital treatment means people are encouraged to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible but many need support to do so. One answer is improved home care services.

Wherever you live the chances are your home is important to you and you’ll want to stay there as long as possible. As journalist John Ed Pearce said: “Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to.”

Most of us would do anything to avoid the heart-wrenching decision to leave the place we know and love; the place we know where everything is, the repository of years of memories.


The good news is that if you are trying to live an independent life in your own home despite old age, infirmity or disability there are plenty of gadgets, aids and adaptions which can help.  They are just as important as the home care services such as home helps, meals on wheels and district nurses who support those living at home.  

Things like grab rails to help you get up from your favourite chair, a gadget which bleeps when your cup is full or a hoist for the bath could mean you can stay at home rather than move into care.

Getting help is easy with GPs, local councils and charities such as Age UK all available to offer advice and support to help people remain living safely at home. All you have to do is ask.

Visit : http://www.essexcares.org