The sedentary lifestyles that predominate in older age result in premature onset of ill health, disease and frailty. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions put in place in an effort to control it have exacerbated its prevalence. Resulting in severely deconditioned older adults whose risk of falls is most significant. In an effort to address this, Healthbox CIC intend on expanding upon the current falls prevention offer to meet the anticipated increase in demand. The main aim of the project is to deliver a total of 3 Strength and Balance Programmes in the Chester area to community dwelling older adults who have a prior history of falls or are at risk of falls.

What we'll deliver:

• Improvement in the health and wellbeing of older adults.
• Reduction in social isolation, falls risk and fear of falling.
• Increase in independence, activities of daily living.

Why it's a great idea:

The Strength and Balance Programme is an evidence-based falls prevention exercise and education intervention that is delivered across 12 sessions (1 per week). Individual sessions are delivered by 2 qualified exercise professionals and total 1 hour in duration (45 minutes of exercise and 15 minutes of education). This method of delivery ensures participant safety whilst improving physiological markers proven to lower falls risk and expanding falls prevention knowledge. Programmes are designed to facilitate 10-15 individuals. As a result, many participants create friendships and enjoy the group setting; this reduces social isolation and the feelings of anxiety and depression that often accompany it. Participants who complete a programme commonly report the friendly group environment of which the sessions are delivered to be their most enjoyable element.

Steps to get it done:

• Identify and set start dates for programmes in the Chester area.
• Commence delivery and capture base line physiological and psychological measures
• Capture 12 week physiological and psychological measures.