Falls Prevention

Falls Prevention work at Age UK Bristol

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisations in older people, yet many are preventable. As many as 1 in 3 over 65s fall at least once a year in the UK, with falls among older people costing the NHS approximately £2.3 billion per year.

 In 2023-24, there were 1,595 admissions to Accident and Emergency departments in Bristol of people aged 65+ due to falls.

There are many reasons why we are at higher risk of falls as we get older, such as weak muscles, stiff joints, pain, taking multiple medications to name a few. The best news, however, is we can do something about most of these problems.

 As we get older, our muscles can get weaker, and our joints can get stiffer. This can make it harder to keep our balance and stop ourselves from falling. But if we do some exercise, even just a little bit each day, it can help make our muscles stronger and our bodies steadier.

 Age UK Bristol is working with partners across the region and nationally to help prevent falls in older people.

Here are three Age UK Reports on falls prevention

Balancing Act: A review of physical activity in falls prevention

Don’t mention the F word – Advice to practitioners on communicating falls prevention messages to older people

Guide to Good Practice: Physical Activity and Falls Prevention

Here is a list of Providers of Falls Prevention Classes

Age UK Bristol 

T 0117 440 4317             

W www.ageuk.org.uk/bristol/our-services/aukbfab/tai-chi-shibashi

Bristol City Council 

W www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/social-care-and-health/adults-and-older-people/support-to-live-independently/strength-balance-classes

Brunel Fitness Centre