Older people in the North East are set to receive a helping hand as part of National Falls Day. As anyone who's had a fall will know, being unsteady on your feet can be a very scary experience. This is true for people of all ages, but especially for the older generation, who are more prone to injury after taking a tumble. Trips and falls can be a serious danger and represent currently more than half of hospital admissions for accidental injury. But the news is not all bad, and many falls can be prevented with a few common-sense precautions. Tomorrow Help The Aged is holding National Falls Awareness Day. It hopes to alert more elderly people of simple steps they can take to reduce their chances of a fall. Some of the precautions include: Exercise - This not only helps to keep you fit and healthy but can also keep you active, mobile and steady on your feet, giving you more independence. Look after you feet - See your chiropodist to sort out any foot worries so that you can walk tall without being distracted by pain in your feet. Osteoporosis - This becomes more of a danger as we age. Keep bones in top conditions by eating lots of calcium and vitamin D. We can form this vitamin in our own bodies as long as we soak up some sun. Home safety - Avoid overly strenuous tasks and know your limitations. Don't place yourself in unnecessary danger and take care on the stairs. Eyesight - Visit your optician regularly so you can properly see where you're going. Medicines - If you feel dizzy after taking medication, then you are putting yourself at risk of falling. See your GP or pharmacist if this is a problem for you or if you are taking more than four different daily medicines. An NHS trial in the North East showed how a simple change could dramatically reduce the number of falls. Pensioners were given the chance to swap their old slippers for a new close-fitting design, and the number of falls among the elderly fell by 57%. It's a fact that around one third of people aged over 65 fall each year and this figure increases among the over-75s. Hip fractures are the most common form of injury and in 50% of cases they seriously affect a person's mobility. But the statistics are not set in stone and people can avoid being another number. A falls prevention team will be in Market Square in Sunderland's Bridges shopping centre tomorrow from 10am to 2pm. All over-65s can go along for a health check, free slippers, lightbulbs and smoke alarms. There will also be exercise demon-strations that can be adjusted for any fitness level. In Eldon Square, Newcastle, there will be an event outside Boots from 11am-3pm. Also in Newcastle, there is a drop-in-event in Fawdon Community Centre. Both will focus on positive activities and visitors will be able to meet professionals to discuss how to reduce the risks of falls. In Fawdon there is a slipper exchange running for the over-65s, who can bring their own slippers and get a new, better-fitting pair for free. | 
Fashion
Gardening