Help The Aged Response To The Debate On The Today Programme On Osteoporosis And Falls Prevention Policy, UK
'Falls are an extremely serious matter which can be deeply debilitating and cause untold suffering for many older people. Falls which result in fractures can be catastrophic. Not only are they the major cause of accidental death, but they can cause serious problems associated with loneliness and isolation as a result of loss of mobility in the long term. Further, a serious fall can lead to an older person never being able to return to their own home after the event as they may need specialist medical care over an extended period. Osteoporosis can contribute to the dangers of a fall, increasing the likelihood of a fracture. Hence it is vital that good care and advice in both fields goes hand in hand.
'Good falls prevention work is absolutely critical to not only reduce the number of deaths and injuries each year, but also to tackle the devastating after effects of an accident.
'Falling is not an inevitability among older people. Strength and balance training can make a real difference and help improve confidence and stability. Policy work around this area should always involve older people themselves to ensure that it fully matches their needs.
'Help the Aged will continue to campaign on this issue. Each year, the Charity runs the successful National Falls Awareness Day which highlights the very real hazards around the home and when out and about, and how older people can take steps to avoid them.'
Notes
Contact the Help the Aged press office on 020 7239 1942 or out-of-hours on 07730 912524.
This year's Help the Aged National Falls Awareness Day is on 24 June 2008 with hundreds of falls awareness events expected to take place across the UK.
Help the Aged has a number of exercise resources available to older people concerned about their risk of falling including a free advice leaflet called Staying Steady. For a free copy please call 020 7239 1845. Help the Aged also produces an exercise DVD/video called Step to the Future. Copies can be purchased through Help the Aged Home Shopping by phone, 0844 557 5336, or online http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/homeshopping.
Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation and neglect. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The charity delivers a range of services including information and advice, home support and help in difficult times that are supported by its fundraising activities and paid for services. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.
Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect.
Help The Aged
Ajutor în vârstã de rãspuns la dezbaterea privind programul de azi de pe osteoporozei ºi a politicii de prevenire a cãderilor, Marea Britanie - Help The Aged Response To The Debate On The Today Programme On Osteoporosis And Falls Prevention Policy, UK - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate