A Gwynedd Council event aimed at helping to prevent falls among older people is to be held in Porthmadog on Friday, 24 June 2011.
Falls are the most frequent and most serious type of accident amongst older people with one in three people over 65 falling over each year.
Gwynedd Council is holding an information session at Y Ganolfan community centre which will give older people, their families and those who work in care services information and advice to help reduce the risk of people injuring themselves through falling.
The event coincides with the Gwynedd Older People’s Council meeting and forms part of Age UK’s Falls Awareness Week.
Councillor John Wyn Williams, Gwynedd Council’s older people’s champion, said: “As we get older, and our health deteriorates, the risk of falling increases because of issues such as impaired sight and problems with balance, coordination and mobility.
“People can be seriously injured in a fall, and it can cause big setbacks in their confidence.
“But we believe that falls should not be an inevitable result of ageing and much can be done to reduce the risk. By taking part in the Watch Your Step scheme, which is part of a national awareness campaign, older people, their families and others who care for them can make a massive difference to their everyday lives which reduces the chances of suffering a fall and reduces the fear of falling and makes them more confident and independent.”
Activities which will be a part of the session include information about eye health because of the link between vision problems and falls; advice about exercises which can improve strength, balance and coordination; guidance about diet and help to give up smoking as well as a range of local services that are available to support individuals.
The information session is open to all older people and their carers between 2-4pm.
