Falls Prevention

Falls and falls-related injuries are a common and serious problem for older people. In Northamptonshire around 47,000 people over 65 are at risk of falling each year.

Since 2018, we have been providing a programme of OTAGO exercise, strength and balance classes for people with a history of, or at risk of falling.

Project focus: Get Up & Go and ICAN Get & Go Programmes

Both Get Up & Go programmes complement the Public Health commissioned Falls Assessment and Management Service and the Supporting Independence Programme (SIP), as part of an integrated approach to supporting people to improve their strength and balance and reduce their risk of experiencing injuries.

ICAN Get Up & Go is an enhanced version of the community Get Up & Go classes and is for people who are classed as mild to moderately frail. Unlike the open community classes, ICAN Get Up & Go is a prescribed programme and is accessible via a referral from a health or social care professional. The weekly classes run over 24 weeks and are free of charge. Typical class formats include:

• An OTAGO strength and balance class

• An ‘Age Well’ educational talk or presentation from an external provider

• Refreshments, social time and peer support

The community GU&G programme completed the year with 34 classes, 379 participants and total weekly participation over the 12 months of 5,065. Whilst the ICAN GU&G had 5 classes, 95 participants and total weekly participation over the 12 months of 878.