Staying Steady and Falls Prevention
Our Staying Steady programme is for people who have had a fall, or who feel as though they may be at risk of having a fall.
Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable and likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. Falls are a common, but often overlooked, cause of injury. While most do not result in serious injury, there’s always a risk that a fall could lead to broken bones, and it can cause the person to lose confidence, become withdrawn, and feel as if they have lost their independence.
We offer a Staying Steady programme which is scientifically proven to improve strength and balance and aims to reduce falls and enable people to live independently at home for longer.
Staying Steady is a free programme that is 28 weeks long and each weekly session lasts around one hour. The classes are fun and enjoyable and a great way to make new friends.
Read Norma’s story as featured in The Chronicle recently.
Find out where our Staying Steady sessions are running and when.
Staying Steady Research
Emily James of Northumbria University has recently completed an evaluation on the effectiveness of the Healthworks Staying Steady community-based falls prevention exercise programme.
The following was reported:
We found that Staying Steady helped people with a range of different health problems to carry out movements that are needed every day, such as standing from a chair, walking and balancing. Being able to carry out these movements well means we are less likely to fall and more able to live without help as we get older. People who finished Staying Steady were happy with the result, saying that they were less worried about falling and were able to manage day to day activities more easily.
Register your interest in our Staying Steady programme:
At the moment if you wish to self refer to our Staying Steady programme, please do one of the following:
Telephone 0191 272 4244 and ask to speak to Rory Harrison about a Staying Steady Self-Referral
OR
E-mail Rory Harrison on [email protected] and mark the title of your email with Staying Steady Self-Referral
Staying Steady At Home
We have also developed Staying Steady programme booklets and videos to help people exercise at home when they have a spare 20 minutes here and there. It’s really important to remember that every little bit of exercise counts!
The Staying Steady programme booklets are in stages, and each stage will include exercises to help:
Mobility (joints)
Cardiovascular (heart and lungs)
Strength (muscles)
Balance (co-ordination)
Relaxation (mind and body)
Click on the relevant button to access the Stage’s exercise booklet (please note that only people registered for our Staying Steady programme will receive the full pack contents as described).
If you feel that you would benefit from our Staying Steady programme then please contact the team.
Get Active At Home Videos
We also have a Get Active At Home playlist on our You Tube channel and our Physical Activity Team have designed a Staying Steady 10 Step Home Workout that will help you improve your strength and balance.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or any concerns, talk to your doctor or health professional before starting any exercise programme. Stop exercising and consult your physician if you feel dizzy, faint, light-headed or if you experience any discomfort, only you can monitor your condition during your workout and you are responsible for exercising within your limits.
You may also want to check out the NHS website which has useful information information and advice about falls and how to help prevent them.
You may also be interested in our other Getting Active activities and our Gyms.