Stay On Your Feet Falls Prevention In Older People

Stay On Your Feet is a Injury Prevention project which aims to reduce the number of falls experienced by people over 60 years who live in the communities of the Wide Bay-Burnett. It is a community-based program which is coordinated by the team at Central Public Health Unit Network - Wide Bay (Queensland Health), working in conjunction with local communities, Government, non-Government and community agencies and older people.

The goal is to support and build on existing activities and help with the development of new strategies where needed - resulting in more people

"Staying Active, Staying Independent And Staying On Your Feet "

Falls Prevention

In Older People

Stay On Your Feet promotes healthy, active and positive ageing. The program aims to increase awareness, knowledge and skills among older people and other members of the community, about factors that increase the risk of falling and the steps that can be taken to reduce that risk, enabling older people to stay mobile and independently living in the community for longer.

A Stay On Your Feet Ambassador is a community member who wants to assist local older people to maintain their independence and activity, is interested in learning and sharing information on how to reduce falls in older people, and helping to motivate and support people to make the necessary changes, in an informal, friendly and non-threatening manner.

Fact Sheets: PDF File

Eat Well for Life PDF File

Never Too Late To Start Exercising

Wear Safe Footwear

Check Your Vision

Keep Your Environment Safe

Keep Your Balance

Check Your Medications

Manage Chronic Illness

Reduce Home Hazards

Did You Know?

Did you know that one in three people over 60 years fall each year? This means around 15,000 people over 60 years in the Wide Bay-Burnett will fall at least once this year. As our older population is increasing, so this figure is rising. The good news is that, contrary to common belief, falls are NOT inevitable as we get older. MANY FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED because they are often caused by factors which can be changed. They include: lack of awareness and knowledge about falls and how to prevent them; not enough physical activity; unsafe footwear; problems with medication; unsafe home environments; unsafe public environments; problems with vision; and insufficient daily calcium in a healthy diet.

Did You Know?

Did you know that keeping physically active has been shown to be one of the best ways to avoid falls, especially exercise which improves your strength and balance. Contrary to common belief, it's Never Too Late to begin physical activity, even if you have some health or mobility problems. If you are not used to regular physical activity, seek advice first from your GP. Physical activity is one of the highest priority focus areas for Stay On Your Feet and the Community Action Plans contain many strategies for encouraging, promoting and increasing local physical activity opportunities.

Did You Know?

Did you know that "Staying On Your Feet" is often about changing what you think, and what you know about falls. "Staying On Your Feet" involves being aware of the risks - and of the fact that falls are not an inevitable part of aging. It also means being aware that many falls can be prevented, and knowing what you, and your community, can do. Awareness and Information is the highest priority identified by communities across the Wide Bay-Burnett. The Community Action Plans include many actions aimed at addressing this priority, at individual, community and regional level.

Did You Know?

Eventually just about everyone has trouble reading the fine print. This condition is normal and for most of us the problem begins around the age of 40 years. The lens of the eye is responsible for about 30 per cent of the eye's focusing power. The older we get, the less flexible the lens becomes until, eventually, it loses the ability to achieve the curve required to focus on near objects. As your ability to focus declines, you may need to wear corrective spectacles lenses. There are other conditions which may affect your ability to see including diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts. Regular testing of your eyes is recommended.