Analysis: The Falls Management Exercise Programme has been shown to reduce falls nd improve physical and quality of life
Staying active can be challenging as we age. We know that older adults are the least active, and over 30% experience a fall each year. Falls may be common in younger people, but their consequences are far less. Invariably, a fall for older adults brings a fear of falling again, inactivity and social isolation. Some people have trouble getting back up, leading to long periods on the floor, ambulance calls, Emergency Department visits and hospital stays. The estimated cost of falls-related injuries in Ireland is projected to exceed €2 billion by 2030 and the Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in frailty and falls, potentially escalating this projected cost.
Exercise programmes and falls
The good news is that exercise can reduce falls by as much as 50%, giving confidence to be more physically active and social involved. However, many exercise programmes are too challenging for people with concerns about falling, while others, with exercises that seem "safer" may not improve balance and reduce falls rates. To reduce falls rates long-term, considerable evidence has shown that exercises must challenge balance and strength, be tailored and progressed and completed three times weekly for at least three months and preferably longer.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, how 20 minutes of daily activity could reverse frailty and build resilience in older people
Falls Management Exercise Programme
The Falls Management Exercise Programme is a six-month programme which meets all these criteria. It is led by specialist trained instructors and has been shown to reduce falls, fear of falling, improve physical function, balance confidence and quality of life and increase physical activity.
In the UK, these groups reach over 10,700 older people a week and produce a return on investment of at least £2.89 for every £1 invested. The AFFINITY falls and bone health programme has funded the training of 100 HSE physiotherapists, and exercise professionals working beyond the HSE to deliver the programme in Ireland.
The classes are in groups of 8 to 10 people. Initially, people are taught how to complete the exercises safely, and the exercises are gradually progressed to challenge balance and strength. People are taught how to get down and back up from the floor independently to reduce the risk of a long lie. All are expected to complete home exercises between classes; these are given by the instructor. After the class, people are encouraged to stay for a coffee and chat – a chance to get to know each other.
From Cardiff Met Sport, introduction to the Falls Management Exercise Programme for older people
We now need to find the best way to get the programme up and running and we know tht UK studies have shown that it can be complex. Specifically, we want to link the programme to the healthcare system, reach everyone who needs it, deliver it effectively and encourage people to stay active with local exercise programmes.
What will the research study do?
Funded by the Health Research Board and the HSE, our study aims to learn from the early adoption of the falls-management programme in Ireland. We are involving service-users, instructors, funders and the HSE to collaboratively keep older people independent and healthy.
Over two years, we will evaluate the programme at three early-adopter sites. Initially, we examine the first six-month programme to identify issues and concerns. At local co-design workshops, the key stakeholders will identify local practical solutions. The changes will be implemented, and we will again examine the impact of the changes over the next six months.
The second aim of the study is to survey all trained instructors about their experience in establishing the Falls Management Exercise programme, to provide a national perspective of where the programme is available and how well it is running. We aim to circulate the key messages; falls are not inevitable, how to access the classes, and what to expect. To help change the attitude that "slowing down" and "falls" are inevitable consequences to ageing, we will produce YouTube videos and info-graphs showing how the programme can help people to stay active.
Most importantly, we aim to get Falls Management exercises to those who can benefit and help people to feel confident about exercise, physical activity and keeping well.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
