Sessions for 65s and over to keep them active and healthy are being run by district council leisure services and take place at local venues across Leicestershire.
The Falls Management Exercise (FaME) programme is being co-ordinated by Leicestershire County Council in partnership with district and borough authorities - and with support from Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport. Find out where the classes are running or call 01509 564888.
I think this is a great idea as we need to encourage healthy, active lifestyles, particularly as we get older. Falling can have a really negative impact on people’s lives, their confidence and their independence so we are keen to prevent this as much as possible and programmes such as this can help.
Person:Councillor Ernie White, county council cabinet member for health
The programme includes balance, endurance and strength exercises as well as techniques for getting down and up from the floor.
A study in 2014 showed that FaME increased physical activity and andf significantly reduced falls by 26 per cent.
Across Leicestershire, the county council and NHS partners are supporting people through the falls prevention service. There are a number of top tips available on preventing falls.
FaME is being funded as part of a research project at the University of Nottingham, the county council’s public health team and the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) East Midlands.
NIHR CLAHRC East Midlands is a partnership of regional health services, universities and industry which turns research into cost-saving and high-quality care through cutting-edge innovation.