Minimising the risk of falls becomes ever more important as we age. The staff and residents of Emmaus took this issue into their own hands by running a fun, informative Falls Prevention Expo across the Catholic Care of the Aged (CCA) facility on Thursday 14 November.

CCA Clinical Leaders at Emmaus, Carolyn Rooney and Tahlia Vicary, were keen to promote Falls Prevention education and set about planning a practical but fun learning experience for residents, relatives and care staff.

“The key aspects of falls prevention revolve around footwear, exercises to maintain balance and strength, wearing aids such hearing aids and glasses, and correct use of equipment such as walkers,” said Carolyn.

“We planned the day’s activities around these things and enlisted the professional expertise of Sports & Spinal Physio and the support of the CCA Pastoral Care Team.”

“Sports & Spinal Physio ran falls prevention exercise demonstrations, encouraging everyone to have a go, and organised a falls-related scavenger hunt as well, which was great fun,” said Tahlia.

“The St Agnes’ Pastoral Care team hosted a session for the Carers Support Group, which was popular with the relatives of residents,” she added.

Three weeks before the expo (in late October) each House was given a brief of the day, which was to include prizes best decorated area, most interactive individual and house, most extreme outfit, a scavenger hunt and other fun and games.

Everyone embraced the theme enthusiastically. With great prizes on offer, the competition to outdo each other was fierce but friendly, as staff and residents got involved with decorating their area based on the ‘Falls Prevention’ theme.