Funding to stay on your feet in ACT

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, has announced funding of more than $200,000 for organisations to carry out falls prevention programs that help older Canberrans stay on their feet.

A total of $204,165 in funding has been provided through the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program Stay on Your Feet Falls Prevention Funding Round for 2010-11.

The funding round is open to all organisations that conduct falls prevention activities in the broader community and in residential aged care facilities.

“Falls are a major cause of injury for older people in the ACT and are a significant cost to individuals and the community,” Ms Gallagher said.

“This grants program aims to reduce the incidence and severity of falls and fall related injuries among older people in the ACT, and to strengthen partnerships with community organisations to reduce falls and fall related injury.

“Falls can have a debilitating effect on older people and their families. They can impact on an individual’s health and quality of life by affecting their independence, their confidence and their activity levels. It can lead to increased anxiety with those who have experienced a fall, more likely to fear falling again.

“We know that people aged over 65 years are at greatest risk of sustaining an injury from a fall with an estimated 30-50% of community-dwelling older adults falling each year. Half experience multiple falls.

“The rate of falls and associated injuries is higher for older people in residential aged care and acute care settings, with up to 50% of residents experiencing one or more falls in a 12-month period,” Ms Gallagher said.

The ACT Health Promotion Grants Funding Program supports and promotes healthy lifestyle choices, improves health outcomes of people experiencing the greatest disadvantage, promotes positive self-image, strengthens and enhances community support networks, provides for safe and supportive environments, reduces health risk factors and influences public policy.

2010-11 Final Funding Package:

• $21,993, Arthritis ACT – Helping people with musculoskeletal conditions to stay on their feet
• $9,970, Diabetes Australia ACT – Diabetes Education and Falls Prevention Exercise in High Risk Populations
• $126,776, Goodwin Aged Care Services Ltd. – Goodwin Falls Prevention Program
• $9,350, Multiple Sclerosis Ltd. – Tai Chi for Health and Balance
• $36,076, Southside Community Services – Falls Prevention for a CALD Population.