Residents stay safe and steady with falls prevention support in Tameside

When Roy Stockton, 88, from Ashton, fell and broke several ribs, everyday life became a challenge.

Today, with support from Tameside Council’s Reablement service, he's back on his feet and doing what he loves most. When he first came home, Roy's daughter stayed with him because she was worried about him managing alone. Reablement stepped in, helping him get back to doing the things that are important to him.

Now, with only a little help from his daughter, Roy can drive into Ashton, do his shopping independently and visit the Grafton Centre in Hyde. He rarely uses his walking stick, makes his own meals and manages his medication too.

A serious fall in April left Julie Squires, 59, from Ashton with a broken shoulder and broken ankle.

Following eight weeks in hospital, Julie returned home needing extensive support. Reablement support workers started with visits four times a day, using specialist equipment to help her move safely, and she had to temporarily adapt to living downstairs.

With support from Reablement and physiotherapy services, Julie worked tirelessly to rebuild her strength, confidence and mobility. The team supported her with daily tasks and meal preparation, while encouraging her every step of the way to achieve her goals.

Her support gradually reduced, and with the help of physiotherapy, she was able to safely use the stairs again and return to sleeping in her own bedroom. Today, Julie is feeling much more independent, preparing her own meals and is looking forward to returning to work when she is ready.

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Jackie Lane, said: ‘’It’s great to hear that both Roy and Julie are feeling much more confident after both suffering traumatic falls. With the support of Reablement they’ve been able to get back to doing the things that matter to them and prevent any future falls from happening.

‘’A big thank you to the team for providing incredible support to residents every day, if you or someone you know would benefit from connecting with Reablement, please get in touch with our Early Support and Advice Hub (ESAH).’’

For Falls Prevention Week (21-25 September), the experiences of Roy and Julie who both had falls leading to serious injuries are being shared by Reablement to raise awareness of the support available to regain confidence after a fall and prevent it from happening again.

If someone is interested in the support Reablement can provide, Tameside’s Early Help and Support are the first point of contact for anyone looking for information or advice on adult social care, please call 0161 342 5656 for more information.

Find out more about Reablement at www.tameside.gov.uk/reablement.