Falls Management Exercise in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
One in three people over 65, and half of people over 80, will experience at least one fall a year.
We know falls account for a significant number of deaths, hospital admissions and fractures in the older adults in Cornwall. A hip fracture has a high mortality rate and will also increase NHS and social care needs and costs.
There were 2,160 emergency admissions in Cornwall due to a fall in 2022/23 in over 65s, resulting in 880 hip fractures. Falls prevention via strength based physical exercise in the community is a cost effective approach. A Cochrane Review (Sherrington, 2019) showing a 24% reduction in falls compared to control groups.
We have commissioned community based and digital falls prevention classes called ‘Move More’.
- Public Health provide an evidenced-based 25 week, physical activity falls prevention programme. This is available in 12 areas and is delivered by iCareiMove
- iCareiMove is a local business based in Penryn Exeter University Campus
- The programme targets:
- Cornwall residents who are 65 years old and over, and
- who have had a fall in the last 12 months,
- or have a heightened risk or fear of falling, and
- do not meet the criteria of the Specialist Community Falls Service (SCFS)
- There are close links with the SCFS
- The programme is delivered in a range of formats:
- face to face classes
- live digital delivery that can be accessed at home, and
- in the coming months in digital delivery to groups through local hubs with the support of volunteers
- These are supported by online videos to allow people to follow in their own time as 'homework'
The programme started in July 2024 with two digital classes and face to face classes in Falmouth, Launceston, Newquay and Penzance. The Programme will work on a rolling basis across locations to also cover:
- Bodmin
- Camborne
- Hayle
- Helston
- Liskeard
- St Austell
- Truro
The service is can be accessed by:
- individuals
- family members
- practitioners