Put your ‘Best Foot Forward’ for Age Isle of Man/Age UK’s Falls Awareness Week 2013 - Monday 17th to Friday 21st June 2013
Age Isle of Man will be holding various events throughout the Island during the week of
17th-21st June, as part of Age UK’s Falls Awareness Week 2013. The aim is to get people to put their ‘best foot forward’ by keeping their feet healthy, preventing falls in later life. As well as keeping feet in good shape, the events will show that there are a whole range of simple things that can reduce the risk of a fall.
Age UK’s Falls Awareness Week 2013 will highlight how important it is for everyone to keep their feet healthy in order to maintain mobility and independence throughout life. Foot conditions can result in foot pain, which in turn can cause problems with balance, walking and sensation in the feet – all of which can lead to falls. With around 30% of over-65s and 50% of those aged over 80 falling every year, Age UK is calling on older people to attend local activities during Falls Awareness Week to learn how to prevent falls and keep feet healthy all year round.
Age Isle of Man will be holding Falls Awareness Week roadshows at various locations Island wide, which will include Douglas, Port Erin, Peel and Ramsey. People in later life from across the Island are invited to come aboard the CHAT Bus to find out what they can do to help prevent falls and improve later life. The CHAT bus will be at the following locations:
Monday 17th June – Douglas – Shoprite Car Park, Victoria Road 10am-4pm
Tuesday 18th June – Peel – Shoprite Car Park, Derby Road 10am-4pm
Thursday 20th June – Port Erin – Shoprite Living Car Park 10am-4pm
The same service will also be available on:
Wednesday 19th June – Douglas – Strand Shopping Centre 10am-4pm
Friday 21st June – Ramsey Town Hall 10am-4pm
George Quayle, Age Isle of Man CEO said “Following the success of last year’s Falls Awareness Week; we are seeking to continue to try to get this vital message across to older people on the Island. Last year our staff were concerned that many people we met had fallen at least once but had not told anyone about it. We are encouraging older people to look at many aspects of their daily lives to try to prevent falls, and the potential trauma that can sometimes follow”.
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General at Age UK, said: “Foot pain and falls are not inevitable as we get older. There are lots of things that we can do to help prevent falls and keep our feet healthy throughout life – from simply having regular foot checks to wearing well-fitting shoes. During the Week, people will be able to find out more about how to look after their feet and how to do simple exercises that could help prevent falls.
“Events such as ours, held in support of Falls Awareness Week are crucial in helping everyone understand how to reduce the risk of falling and how to maintain mobility and independence as we grow older.”
During Falls Awareness Week Age UK will be supporting events across the country highlighting how important it is to look after your feet, as well as the benefits of staying active in later life. To download Age UK’s free ‘Staying Steady’ and ‘Healthy Living’ guides, and to find out more information about Age UK’s Falls Awareness Week 2013 and what’s happening in your local area, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/falls or call 631740.
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