Reducing Your Risk of Falling
There's lots of ways that you can reduce your risk of falling, and lots of support available across Doncaster that you can access. Whether you would like support with moving more, checking the health of your home, or keeping checked in with your health and well being.
Tips to prevent falling
Everyone becomes more at risk of a fall as they grow older. There are lots of simple things that you can do to help reduce your risk of, and prevent, a fall in and out of your home.
Checking the health of your home
We know that there can be lots of pesky risks around your home that can really increase your risk of falling. One of the best things that you can do to reduce that risk is give your home a check up to make sure it is in the best condition it can be. You can check the health of your home through our handy Healthy Homes guide, which covers all things from trip hazards to checking light and ventilation.
Some good things to keep in mind when you are checking up on your home are:
- Checking your lighting- make sure you can see where you are stepping
- Making sure that there isn't anything that may cause you to slip- wires can sometimes be a nuisance!
- Wearing footwear with grip- giving you that extra bit of support
Keeping Moving
Doncaster Community Directory
The Your Life Doncaster Community Directory hosts lots of local community walking groups, sports activities and lots more to help you get out and move! Use the directory to find out what's going on in your local area that you can be a part of.
Keeping moving is a great way to reduce the risk of falling. There's so many places in Doncaster that can support you to move- whether that be through dancing, walking or exploring your local leisure centre.
- Get Doncaster Moving: Get Doncaster Moving has lots of information and resources to support you if you would like to be more active in Doncaster. Including your local green spaces, sports clubs and more!
- AGE UK Doncaster: Age UK has lots of strength and balance support classes that you can be a part of.
- Well Doncaster: Peer Support Groups: Wellbeing (based on the Five Ways to wellbeing - one of which is 'Be Active'). Visit the Well Doncaster website for more information!
- DARTS: Hosts lots of great ways to keep moving, including Community Dance On Project, the Home Dance On Project.
- Club Doncaster Foundation: Visit the Club Doncaster Foundation website to find out more about their support groups!
- Doncaster Culture & Leisure Trust (DCLT): Your local leisure centre has lots to offer- from swim for all sessions to classes and activities to prioritise movement.
Looking after your health and wellbeing
The SAGA Get Up & Go Staying Steady Guide also has lots of information on keeping well and includes a checklist to find out if you are at risk and what you can do to reduce the risk/prevent a fall.
Having regular health and eye tests, alongside eating well and moving, can also be a great help to looking after your health, keeping you well to prevent your risk of falls.
What to do if you fall
It can be scary if you have fallen, but there are some key things that you can do to make sure that you stay safe if you do fall.
- If you fall when you're alone, get help if you can and keep yourself warm.
- If you're worried about getting help, you may want to get a community alarm that you can wear around your neck or wrist. Pressing the alarm will alert response centre staff and they'll ring you to see what's wrong.
- When you next see your doctor or nurse, tell them about your fall. They can check whether there may be a health problem that is causing you to fall and if it's likely to happen again. If it is, they can provide support for you.
- Make sure you tell a close friend or your family that you have had a fall so that they can support you.