April Falls Month at Garden Village
April Falls Month is an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of falls and to promote the latest best practice fall prevention strategies.
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisations among older Australians. Garden Village supports the campaign which encourages people to get active and improve balance for fall prevention.
Garden Village is hosting a Falls Prevention class at 9:00am on Thursday 27 April.
“Everyone is welcome to join us for physio based exercises to help prevent falls and to help with your balance and stability. Garden Village is providing a morning tea after the session and has subsidised the session to only $5 per person for Falls Prevention Month.
Wear orange and join the fun and informative session. It’s a great opportunity to find out more information about the Wellbeing Centre and the regular chair pilates and balance classes,” said Wellbeing Coordinator Gerry Buckland.
Improving balance and strength reduces risk of falls
As we age, the risk of falls increases, and falls can result in serious injuries that can impact our quality of life. Falls prevention for seniors is important to maintain independence, mobility, and overall health. Fractures are the most common type of injury sustained for both males and females who were hospitalised due to a fall.
“To prevent falls and maintain independence daily exercise should include activities that improve strength and balance. Every bit of activity helps,” said Dean Thurgood Physiotherapist.
I see and work with many residents in Garden Village who have been impacted by falls, and work with many to prevent future falls. It is vital that all residents participate in prevention measures long before the falls and near misses occur. Prevention is the key, don’t wait until you have had a fall to do something about it.”
Dean hosts group exercise classes with Garden Village Aged Care residents twice a week and also offers physio programs for our independent living residents.
“It’s well known that poor balance and strength will affect a person’s mobility and put them at an increased risk of a fall. The good news is that by improving balance and strength, people can reduce their risk of falling and suffering a fall-related injury. Research tells us that exercise reduces the risk of falling by 23%,” added Dean.
Tips for falls prevention at Garden Village include:
- Home Modifications: Simple modifications to homes can reduce the risk of falls, such as removing tripping hazards, installing grab bars in bathrooms, and improving lighting. Garden Village continuously checks for hazards to ensure the safety of our residents.
- Wear appropriate footwear: Seniors should wear shoes with non-slip soles and good support to reduce the risk of falls.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause dizziness and fainting, which can increase the risk of falls. Seniors should drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Get regular vision and hearing checkups: regular checkups to ensure that you can see and hear clearly can reduce the risk of falls.
- Garden Village encourages people to join the Physio Based Falls Prevention Session on Thursday 27 April. Book through the Wellbeing Centre 0419 758 170.
