Generations unite for falls awareness scheme

Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a’r Fro Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Bwrdd Iechyd Addysgu Powys Powys Teaching Health Board

Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Ymddiriedolaeth Generations unite for falls Cwm Taf University Health Board awareness scheme GIG Felindre Velindre NHS Trust

Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda University Health Board A collaborative scheme is bringing children and older adults together to learn about how falls can be prevented. This project received the NHS Judges’ Iechyd Cyhoeddus Award at the MediWales Innovation Awards. Cymru Public Health Wales

Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Falls cost time and money for Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymruthe NHS, particularly when they Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust result in hospital admissions,

surgery and consequential long-term care. Staying Steady Schools is an intergenerational falls awareness scheme that brings together primary school children and older adults to learn about risk factors for falls, how to reduce them and what services are available to help in the area.

Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru Public Health Wales

Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust

Primary schools in the Cardiff & Vale area hold sessions and invite older adults to attend such as neighbours, relatives and other local residents. The sessions are facilitated by healthcare students from Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University, who are trained by staff from Cardiff & Vale University Health Board and Public Health Wales. Information is delivered in a format that is designed to be interesting and memorable for the children.

In addition to improving attendees’ knowledge of how to prevent and deal with falls, sessions encourage intergenerational social interaction and formation of links to strengthen the local community. By utilising university students and schools to deliver sessions, the scheme requires only minimal input from NHS staff to induct students, resulting in little time or financial cost to the NHS.

There is potential to scale and spread the scheme across Wales and beyond, with capacity for further university students to be involved from other relevant professions.