UK National Falls Awareness Week highlights the importance of balance and fall prevention
It’s National Falls Awareness Week starting today (September 15) and healthcare professionals and community organisations are emphasising the crucial role of fall prevention in maintaining independence and well-being among older adults. Falls are a significant health concern and according to statistics (NICE & NHS), they cost the NHS over £2.3 billion annually due to hospital admissions, emergency care, and long-term treatments.
Vestibular disorders affect the inner ear and brain, causing symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, and spatial disorientation. These symptoms are frequently invisible to others, making it harder for those affected to receive proper understanding, diagnosis, and treatment. The resulting isolation and misdiagnosis can delay care and worsen outcomes.
One of the most effective ways to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls is through targeted exercise programs that improve strength, co-ordination, and balance. Move It or Lose It classes are designed to help individuals maintain and improve their stability with balance, aerobic, strength and flexibility exercises designed specifically for those aged over 60.
According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in mid to later life is linked to a near doubling in the risk of death from any cause within the next 10 years. On average, a 70–79-year-old should be able to stand on one leg for 19 seconds.
Cat Stuart, a Move it or Lose it instructor says: “We all know that our balance can deteriorate as we get older but with regular exercises, we can maintain and improve this to avoid the risk of falling. Research has shown that 46% of people attending a Move it or Lose it class say they can see an improvement in their balance and confidence”.
Anna, aged 82, is a regular attendee at the Lichfield class and says “I went to a falls prevention class run by the NHS and wanted to continue the exercises afterwards. Move it or Lose it classes have made a huge difference to my balance, and I can now stand on one leg for 10 seconds without holding on to anything. In only 6 weeks I could feel my strength improving and I now feel more confident when I am out and about”.
Move It or Lose It classes are available in Lichfield, Hammerwich, Barton, and Alrewas. These accessible sessions aim to support local residents in leading healthier, more active lives while reducing the burden of falls on NHS resources.
For more information or to sign up, contact Cat Stuart on 07973 819629 or visit catstuart.co.uk.
