An online tool designed to help older adults feel more confident about their balance and ability to get about more safely has been launched in Swindon.
Dubbed ‘Steady on Your Feet’, this interactive platform offers a number of resources tailored specifically for older adults grappling with concerns about stability.
Developed as part of a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the NHS in conjunction with local councils, the platform serves as a virtual hub brimming with advice, guidance, and interactive self-assessment tools.
Whether it’s a leisurely stroll down the High Street or a routine trip to the shops, the ‘Steady on Your Feet’ website equips users with practical insights to remain active, independent, and secure during their day-to-day activities. The interactive self-assessment feature acts as a personal safety net, pinpointing individual hazards and guiding users through tailored solutions to mitigate risks and boost confidence.
Collaboratively crafted by the Great Western Hospital, Swindon Borough Council, and the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, ‘Steady on Your Feet Swindon’ has been a year in the making, driven by a shared commitment to enhancing community wellbeing.
A third of people aged 65 and over, and around half of people aged 80 and over, fall at least once a year, according to Public Health England and it is projected that there could be an extra 250,000 falls each year due to people not taking part in activities during the pandemic which support strength and balance.
In 2020-21, between 300 and 350 falls a month resulted in visits to the Emergency Department at Great Western Hospital and 195 people were admitted to GWH having broken their hip after falling.
Swindon Borough Council’s Public Health Specialist, Susan Lambert, said: “With more and more people living longer it is really important that people maintain their own mobility to give them the best chance of staying independent in later life.
“This new tool is a really positive way for people to become steadier on their feet so they reduce the risk of having a fall. I would encourage people to look at the ‘Steady On Your Feet’ website so they pick up those easy tips to stay active and safe while they enjoy their later years.”
Rebecca Arthur, Integrated Falls Pathway Lead at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, echoed this sentiment, stressing that falls need not be an inevitable consequence of ageing. Armed with evidence-backed exercises and lifestyle adjustments, individuals can fortify themselves against the spectre of falls and retain their autonomy well into their golden years.
Charlotte Richards, Programme Development Manager at NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, expressed pride in the tool’s role in fostering community resilience. She urged Swindonians to embrace this invaluable resource, tailored to address their unique needs and aspirations for healthy, independent living.
“This is a fantastic tool which supports our ambitions to reduce health inequalities, and for people to enjoy healthy, safe and independent lives, with timely and practical advice and support, most suited to their needs. Please encourage anyone that you think might benefit from this to access Steady on Your Feet.’’
The ‘Steady On Your Feet’ information provided is split into general health advice, such as nutrition, dizziness and blackouts, and options for staying active including the What’s on When (WOW) guide – a listing of groups and activities suited to older people. The site includes exercise videos to follow, details of local social and support groups, lunch clubs, activity and exercise sessions, memory cafes and much more.
Users can also access a home safety checklist, that has been designed to help people to identify hazards and reduce the risks that can contribute to falling in their own home.
Anyone who wishes to use the tool, which is highly recommended by health professionals, can complete an online assessment form or ask someone they know to help. Once completed, they will receive their own personal action plan to download, share and implement. ‘Steady on Your Feet Swindon’ can be found here: swindon.steadyonyourfeet.org/
