THEME: PREVENTING FALLS AND PROTECTING INDEPENDENCE ID Image Falls message Possible caption/s Use with HQSC289 The risk of falling does increase with age, but the good news is, you can do something it. Older people (or their families and caregivers) can go online to learn about falls. Dame Kate has opened ACC’s booklet ‘Standing up to falls’ (). Find the booklet and other resources at . HQSC082 The risk of falling does increase with age, but the good news is, you can do something about it. ACC’s booklet ‘Standing up to falls: your guide to preventing falls and protecting your independence’ is a good resource (). HQSC093 The risk of falling does increase with age, but the good news is, you can do something about it. Advice about falls prevention from health professionals has credibility – family members and caregivers can also follow and reinforce these messages. OR ACC’s booklet ‘Standing up to falls: your guide to preventing falls and protecting your independence’ is a good resource (). HQSC108 The risk of falling does increase with age, but the good news is, you can do something about it. Genuine concern helps establish rapport and trust for a positive conversation about preventing falls and protecting an older person’s independence. THEME: EXERCISE FOR BALANCE AND STRENGTH ID Image Falls message Possible caption/s Use with HQSC004 Balance and strength exercises can be done at home. Dame Kate looks at a balance and strength exercise leaflet with Gillian Watson, physiotherapist for older adults, Capital & Coast DHB. HQSC031 Balance and strength Dame Kate is using the kitchen bench for support in these exercises. OR
THEME: ENSURE APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR ID Image Falls message Possible caption/s Use with HQSC168 Ensure older people wear well-fitting, flat shoes with soles for increased stability. Gillian Watson says: “This shoe ticks all the boxes: it’s fitted around the heel with straps over the top and it has a medium weight flexible sole.” HQSC177 Ensure people wear well-fitting, flat shoes with soles for increased stability. Dame Kate likes the velcro straps on this shoe – it makes it easy to get them on and off, and easy to adjust if your feet swell. HQSC190 Ensure older people wear well-fitting, flat shoes with soles for increased stability. Gillian Watson says: “Slippers like this aren’t so good. slip-on styles. They change how you walk - you’re ‘scuffing to keep them on, and it’s easy to trip”. HQSC197 Ensure older people wear well-fitting, flat shoes with soles for increased stability. Gillian Watson says: “A low heel is best, but a modest heel like this be worn on special occasions.” HQSC204 Ensure older people wear well-fitting, flat shoes with soles for increased stability. Safety and style - you can have a good range of nice, lightweight shoes that support your feet and help you walk safely.
THEME: OPTIMISE VISION ID Image Falls message Possible caption/s Use with HQSC115 Optimise older people’s vision to reduce their risk of falling. Many falls are caused by wearing bi-focals or reading glasses outdoors. Advise older people to use their reading glasses only for reading, and to ask their optician for single lens glasses to wear when active outside. HQSC132 Optimise older people’s vision to reduce their risk of falling. Ask older people: “When did you last have your eyes tested?”. OR Advise older people: “Wear your reading glasses only for reading. Ask your optician for single lens glasses for when you are out and about”. HQSC137 Optimise older people’s vision to reduce their risk of falling. “Keep your glasses clean.” HQSC150 Optimise older people’s vision to reduce their risk of falling. Advise older people to take extra care until they are used to their new glasses.
THEME: PRESCRIBED VITAMIN D ID Image Falls message Possible caption/s Use with HQSC049 Prescribed vitamin D is widely recommended around the world for preventing falls in older people at higher risk of falling. Dame Kate with ACC’s card: ‘Vitamin D: is it right for you? Ask your GP’. OR Vitamin D: is it right for you? Ask your GP. OR Ask your GP about vitamin D. Prescribed vitamin D initiatives HQSC058 HQSC406 Your doctor may suggest that you spend more time in the sun to increase your vitamin D. From September to April, take a walk or do outside activities in the early morning or late afternoon. Remember to be SunSmart through the middle of the day. From May to August, take a walk or do outside activities in the middle of the day, with your face, arms and uncovered. Prescribed vitamin D initiatives HQSC410 HQSC412
THEME: HOME SAFETY ID Image Falls message Possible caption/s Use with HQSC067 The risk of falling does increase with age, but the good news is, you can do something about it. Dame Kate works through the ACC home safety checklist ( OR Complete the ACC home safety checklist – as it says, “You may know your home like the back of your hand, but the things you see every day could be potential hazards that can lead to a fall”. ( HQSC080 HQSC227 The risk of falling does increase with age, but the good news is, you can do something about it. Do your rugs lie flat, without frayed corners or rolled up edges? HQSC255 The risk of falling does increase with age, but the good news is, you can do something about it. Dame Kate takes up a rug that could cause a trip or fall. OR Remove rugs that could cause a trip or fall.