This event, hosted by the Alzheimer’s Society and the Blue Flamingo Café and Community Hub, brought together older adults and a variety of supportive local organisations. Attendees had the chance to talk to representatives from Lancashire Carers Service, Age UK, Regenerage, Healthwatch, and Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service – just to name a few. Each service shared valuable advice to help older people stay safe and independent as they age.

Falls are not an inevitable part of getting older. In fact, they are often preventable. Many falls result from a mix of factors such as clutter, poor lighting, uneven surfaces, and challenges with medication management. We used this event to share practical tips and simple changes older adults can make in their homes to reduce their risk of falling.

Caroline Hargreaves, Senior Paramedic Team Leader and Lead for Care Home Engagement and Falls in Pennine Lancashire, emphasised the importance of preventative measures: “Today’s dedicated falls prevention event was a fantastic opportunity to educate the public on how to avoid falls and explore simple ways to prevent falls. Many of the falls-related calls we receive don’t actually require an ambulance response, so it was also valuable to highlight the range of other services available to support older people.”

In addition to this event, we’ve used a range of methods to raise awareness. We have developed physical and digital resources, shared messaging with NHS partners, and advertised in the Lancashire Evening Post throughout November.

For more information about falls prevention: Handling falls – NWAS – North West Ambulance Service