What are the benefits of exercise in falls prevention?

We discuss why an exercise programme is so important for reducing the risk of falls 

The benefits of exercise in falls prevention are many and crucial because exercises have been proven to reduce the risk of falls in care homes significantly.  

Preventing falls is one of the most important challenges for care home staff because when a resident experiences a fall, it can affect not just their physical wellbeing but their mental wellbeing too, both in the long and short term. Tackling falls in care homes remains one of the highest priorities for care homes, and one of the best ways to do this is with an exercise programme. 

The facts around falls in care homes:

• A third of people over 65, and half of people over 80, fall at least once a year 

• Falls are the most common cause of death from injury in the over-65s 

• Falls in older adults cost the NHS over £2 billion a year 

• Falls also amount to over 4 million bed days for the NHS 

• After a fall, an older adult has a 50% probability of impaired mobility 

• They also have a 10% probability of dying within a year 

These startling statistics just reinforce the fact that preventing falls in care homes means providing far greater quality of life for residents, ensuring their safety and happiness as well as easing the burden on the NHS that is precipitated by the volume of unnecessary admissions.  

It also just reinforces the importance of providing outlets such as exercise as part of the fundamental framework of providing care, rather than it being just a nice accessory.  

The physical benefits of exercise in falls prevention 

• By choosing the right exercise programme, care home residents will have the opportunity to increase the strength in their muscles, which aids in balance and stability as well as giving them greater mobility. 

• An exercise programme also has the benefit of increasing bone density, which is one of the most important aspects of preventing injuries that result from falls because greater bone density means that a fall is less likely to result in a fracture. 

• An increase in muscle strength, bone density and the benefits of greater stability, balance and mobility that come with it all could lead to increased motor skills that help to prevent trips or stumbles turning into falls.

Click here for our top ideas on the best exercises to help with falls prevention

The mental health benefits of exercise in falls prevention 

• Falls in older adults don’t just have a significant impact on their physical wellbeing, it can more often than not lead to a noticeable decline in their mental health, and often the two are linked closely. But with exercises that reduce the risk of falls, older adults have the chance to avoid feelings of anxiety and depression that result from falls and the risk of falls. 

• It’s common for older adults to withdraw from communal activities after a fall because the fear of falling again increases, but exercises that reduce that risk also means the chance for greater inclusion in the community without a fear of falling. 

• Without such a high risk of falling, and the anxiety that comes along with it, older adults will have the opportunity to enjoy far greater quality of life because they will retain their independence.  

Why the Oomph! Wellbeing and Activities Platform helps to reduce the risk of falls 

Providing person-centred care for residents of care homes means providing a happy and engaging environment where they can experience the best quality of life possible. The exercise programmes available on the Oomph! On-Demand platform will go a long way to reducing falls in care homes, but they and the hundreds of other stimulating activities will give care home residents the ability to lead a full and enriching life, which is one of the most important aspects of care provision. 

What our customers are saying about the Oomph! Wellbeing and Activities Platform 

There are many exercise programmes available on Oomph! On-Demand that are great for preventing falls by building strength and balance, but also ensuring greater health, fitness and overall quality of life. For more information on the Oomph! Wellbeing and Activities Platform, just click here