Preventing Falls

Read the Staying Steady article

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there’s always a risk that a fall could lead to broken bones, and it can cause the person to lose confidence, become withdrawn, and feel as if they have lost their independence.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.

Read the Staying Steady article

Register your interest in our Staying Steady programme:

Staying Steady request form

This form is used to register interest in a place in the Healthworks Staying Steady falls prevention service

Name*
First Last
Telephone Number*
Email*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Date of birth*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Gender*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City County / State / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Preferred contact method*
Registered GP surgery*

Funded for patients registered with a Newcastle upon Tyne GP Practice only.
Referral source*
If you are referring yourself to this service please choose the "self referral" option and answer the following questions.
1) How many falls have you had in the last 12 months?
2) Are you taking four or more different types of tablets per day?
3) Do you have any problems with your balance?
4) Are you ABLE to rise from a chair of knee height WITHOUT using your arms to help?
5) Have you had a blackout or found yourself on the floor without knowing how you got there in the past 12 months?
6) Can you stand unaided for 5 minutes?
For non self referrals, please advise referrers name, organisation and contact.
Where did you here about this service?*
If "other" please advise where you heard about the service
Consent*
I agree for my data to be stored on an electronic case management system, be shared where it is appropriate to aid my intervention, for follow up and anonymous data to be used for monitoring purposes.
Consent*
I agree privacy policy* and consent for Healthworks to use my information as outlined on the policy.
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Download the Staying Steady Information Leaflet

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).

Staying Steady At Home: Stage 1

Staying Steady at Home: Stage 2

Staying Steady at Home: Stage 3

Staying Steady At Home: Stage 4

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.