Exercises for Swindon care home residents to prevent falls

The programme will also include competitive games

An activity programme that aims to improve the mobility and wellbeing of elderly residents and prevent falls has been launched.

The 12-week long Senior Games, offered by Swindon Borough Council, will see instructors visit nine care homes offering chair-based exercises.

There will also be competitive games, such as foam javelin throwing, tin-can alley and golf putting.

The programme is open to all care home residents.

Participants' physical fitness, mobility and how anxious they feel about falling will be measured at the start and end of the 12-week period.

It is hoped residents will improve in each of the measurements so they see longer term health and wellbeing improvements and less falls, which will ease the pressure on health and social care services.

Dementia friendly

On average, 348 people are admitted to the Great Western Hospital with a fall per month, many of whom are care home residents, the council said.

Susan Lambert, public health specialist at Swindon Borough Council, said: "People can reduce their risk of having a fall by carrying out a number of simple, yet effective, actions around the home, such as immediately mopping up spillages, removing clutter and wearing well-fitting shoes or slippers."

The Love to Move chair-based exercise session is accredited by the British Gymnastics Association and is dementia friendly.

Jim Grant, cabinet member for communities and joint working, added: "At a national level, falls are thought to be the most common injury that results in death for people aged 65 and over.

"Each year, care and treatment relating to falls cost the NHS more than £2bn, which is equivalent to a daily spend of approximately £6m."