About us
The Falls Prevention Team is a non-urgent service.
We help older adults who have fallen or who worry about falling.
Our aim is to help you stay independent and feel more confident.
What we offer
- Physiotherapy assessment, treatment, and advice.
- Falls Management Exercise (FaME) groups.
You can learn more about FaME here.
Is this service right for you?
You may be suitable if you can say YES to the points below.
About you
- I live in Plymouth (OR have a Plymouth GP for FaME only).
- I am aged 55 or over.
- I have had one or more falls in the last year.
OR
- I avoid activities because I feel unsteady or fear falling.
Your mobility
- I can leave my home on foot without hands-on help from another person.
- I can socialise, go shopping and attend appointments on foot.
- I have not had a fall where I felt unwell, dizzy or fainted.
- I can follow simple instructions and know when I need to rest.
- I can stand without support for at least 30 seconds.
- I do not have a progressive neurological condition, (for example, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, or long-term symptoms after a stroke).
Your first physiotherapy appointment
- We aim to offer most first appointments by telephone, in a clinic or occasionally at home.
- The main clinic is at Mount Gould Hospital.
- After this, we may visit you at home: This helps us see if you need equipment for daily tasks, support to walk confidently outdoors, or help with your exercises.
How to refer
Falls Prevention Physiotherapy Team
- For a referral to physiotherapy, speak with your GP, or health care professional.
- To self-refer, call 01752 306900 (Livewell Referral and Support Service).
FaME
- To self-refer, visit: www.oneyouplymouth.co.uk/fame/ or
- You can also call The Wellbeing Hub on 01752 437177.
Resources for patients
Prevention videos
If you have been seen by the falls therapy team, please click on the thumbnails below to watch informative video clips as part of your treatment program.
Coping with a fall
20 minute video clip showing how to get up off the floor and how to manage the after effects of a fall.
Relaxation and sleep
11 minute clip on relaxation from our Falls Team.
3 minute clip on visual imagery from our Falls Team.
Mini meditation clip from Headspace is a short example of taking a few relaxing breaths to aid relaxation.
Home safety & vision
3 minute video clip containing general advice on home safety and reducing falls risk.
3 minute video clips from the College of Optometry showing eye conditions often associated with ageing…
Age-related macular degeneration.
Glaucoma.
Cataracts.
Healthy bones
6 minute clip from the Royal Osteoporosis Society with animation highlighting the importance of bone health.
Postural hypotension (orthostatic hypotension) and medication
11 minute clip on medication and falls from our Falls Team.
3 minute clip on orthostatic hypotension, also known as postural hypotension or postural drop. This short animation by the National Institute for Health Research is very informative on a common complaint as we get older.
Podiatry
13 minute clip on looking after your feet from NHS Scotland and is full of practical tips and information.
Continence
4 minute clip from our health and care video library on looking after your bladder.
3.5 minute clip from our health and care video library on looking after your bowels.
Exercise, fitness and goals
3 minute clip from Age UK showing an individual benefitting from higher level balance exercises.
1 minute clip from Age UK showing an individual benefitting from lower level balance exercises.
Mobility, stairs and posture
4.5 minute clip on the benefits of good posture, good advice for people of all ages but particularly important in reducing our falls risk. Please be aware there is an advert which plays prior to the start of this TED ED talk.
Stay Active at Home – Strength and balance exercises for older adults