The course reducing falls among older people

A six-month programme has significantly reduced the rate of falls amongst older people, according to the NHS.

Figures from Livewell, Plymouth, said there was a 57% reduction in the rate of falls of participants who took part in the programme between between July 2024 and June 2025.

Falls were the most common reason older people attended emergency departments, according to the NHS.

Paula Swift, the health improvement manager for the falls prevention team in Plymouth, said: "It's opened up a whole new world to them, they are getting their lives and independence back."

About 450 people aged 55 and over have been referred to the Falls Management Exercise Programme (FaME) in Plymouth since it started in October 2022.

The 24-week group exercise course aims to improve people's strength and balance while boosting their confidence.

One in three adults over the age of 65 and half of people over 80 would have at least one fall a year, according to the NHS.

One person among those is Angela Polmear, 83, of Plymstock, Plymouth, who has osteoarthritis.

She signed up to the programme after a fall in her garden in June 2025.

"My balance is a lot better, I can walk a lot better and it's given me a lot of confidence," she said.

Elizabeth Ramsey, 87 of Plymstock, Plymouth, has osteoporosis in both hips and has had three hip operations.

She said she had become very unsteady with her walking and balance and had recently completed the programme.

She said: "You're taught how to stop yourself falling by putting your leg out to the side to steady yourself.

"I know I could help myself up from the floor now."

Former nurse Valerie Cole, 81, of Turnchapel, Plymouth, joined the programme after a couple of her friends had serious falls.

She said: "The course is so important because of its concentration on improving strength and balance and the exercises really do that.

"You notice the difference after just a few weeks."

As part of the programme, participants learn how to get up from the floor independently if they do fall.

Postural stability instructor Dean Blagdon said that, if people were not injured in a fall, this meant they could get up and were not left lying on the floor for a very long time.

Participants can be referred to the FaME Programme by a health practitioner such as their GP, or they can refer themselves.

Paula Swift said: "Falls are a huge problem.

"Around 5% of fallers are admitted to hospital with things like fractures and head injuries, and that rises as people get older."