Get on Board

24 June 2009

Health Challenge Caerphilly County Borough as part of National Falls Awareness Day organised a number of initiatives to raise awareness of the risk of falls amongst older people. The theme of this year's National Falls Awareness Day was 'Get on Board', which highlighted the issue of falls on Buses. To support this initiative representatives of Health Challenge Caerphilly County Borough and Caerphilly Teaching Local Health Board conducted a survey at Blackwood Bus Station looking at falls on Buses and provided information on how to travel safely on the bus.

The overall aim for the day is to raise awareness of the risk of falling as we age and to promote simple practical ways that can reduce the risk of falls and fractures.

Raising awareness of falls is still a critical issue since one person dies every five hours as the result of fall in the home. It remains the biggest cause of accidental death for older people. Other initiatives throughout the week include the promotion of Falls Awareness packs amongst specific risk groups and poster promotions in public buildings, such as GP surgeries, throughout the county borough.

Alongside Health Challenge Caerphilly's event, hundreds of other events took place right across the UK, building on the 620 events that took place last year for the 2008 National Falls Awareness Day. More information on can be found at www.helptheaged.org.uk/fallsday.

For more information on Falls Prevention please visit the Health Challenge Caerphilly website or contact Maura Matthews on 01495 235009 to request a Falls Pack.