Elderly Sevenoaks residents taught how to avoid falls for free

Falls can pose a serious danger to older people. More than 30 percent of the over 65s have a fall in any one year and this percentage increases with age. These falls can lead to injury, time spent in hospital and in the most severe cases they can result in a permanent disability or death.

To help avoid these scenarios, older residents living in the Sevenoaks area being given the chance to join a free class to help prevent falls.

The classes aim to prevent falls and the associated problems and are run for people who have experienced a fall or have a fear of falling or those with poor posture and balance.

They aim to improve stability when standing, walking and making other movements by strengthening the muscles around the hip, knee and ankle. They also teach a range of associated strategies, including how and when to get up following fall.

Classes include a warm up, gentle exercises and finally a 10 minute cool down followed by a cup of tea and a chat.

The hour-long classes will take place at Hollybush Court Day Centre, in Hollybush Close, Sevenoaks from Wednesday, 25 January at 2.30pm for 13 weeks. Transport may be available for people living in the district.

Residents who want to join the falls prevention classes should visit their GP or other health professional and complete the referral form and send it to Sevenoaks District Council. Alternatively, people can self-refer by calling the Sevenoaks District Council's Healthy Living team.

Cllr Pat Bosley, the Council's Cabinet Member for health, said: "Falls can pose a serious danger to older residents, but in many cases they are preventable. By attending this free programme, older residents could help to avoid a serious injury or something worse."

For further information contact the Healthy Living team at the Council on 01732 227000 or e-mail healthy.living@sevenoaks.gov.uk.

* The falls prevention programme is run in partnership with Sevenoaks District Council and NHS West Kent.