Recap of Our Successful ‘I Can, Get Up!’ Workshop
On Saturday 23rd November, the I Can Therapy Centre in Andover hosted a highly impactful workshop, ‘I Can, Get Up!’ designed to empower older adults with the skills and confidence to safely get up from the floor after a non-injurious fall. The event was held at our welcoming facility and attracted a group of 12 people, including four men and eight women.
A Comprehensive Learning Experience
The primary focus of the workshop was to enhance knowledge, improve techniques, and boost confidence should an accidental, non-injurious fall occur – a common concern among older adults. The session also talked through overcoming fear because of falling, risk factors for falls and ways to prevent falls. Here’s a breakdown of the outcomes:
- Importance Ratings: Attendees rated the importance of being able to safely get up from the floor after a fall as 10/10. This demonstrates the participants’ acknowledgment of the value of the skills taught.
- Knowledge Improvement: Through practical demonstrations and guidance, attendees showcased an overall improvement in their understanding of safe post-fall practices.
- Confidence Growth: Perhaps the most significant transformation was the marked increase in confidence levels. Before the workshop, attendees rated their confidence as 4/10. By the end, their confidence had doubled to an impressive 8/10, signifying the workshops’ effectiveness of alleviating fears and uncertainties.
Workshop Excellence
Feedback from the participants confirmed the success of the event with one person commenting how thoroughly enjoyable the session had been. The workshop was rated “excellent” across several categories:
- Venue: Comfortable and accessible, ensuring ease of participation.
- Schedule: A Saturday morning at 10am proved ideal for attendees.
- Duration: Well-balanced, allowing for both instruction and practice without feeling rushed.
- Materials: Comprehensive handouts supported the practical aspects of the session, providing valuable takeaways for future reference.
Great Value for Money
Attendees estimated the value of the workshop at £5 to £10 per session, highlighting the affordability and accessibility of the event.
A Shared Commitment to Safety and Wellbeing
The success of ‘I Can, Get Up!’ reflects our commitment to empowering older adults with the skills and confidence to live safely and independently with one participant saying, “very helpful, very informative”. Session participants shared how important hearing the experience of other people is and how they coped in the event of a fall. Delivery of the workshop has enabled us to signpost people into our Steady and Strong exercise classes to further improve their strength, balance and ability to get up from the floor following a fall. We’re thrilled to see the positive impact this workshop had on our attendees and are already in the process of collecting names for a second session. If you’re interested, please pop into the centre to register your interest.
An interesting question asked by one participant, was how to manage and deal with helpful family and members of the public who try to help older adults get up from the floor after a fall by “pulling” and “yanking” them up by the arms. Our participants indicated that this hurts and risks further injury. On the back of this question, we are developing a way to deliver this workshop to adult children who may be called upon by their parents to help them in the event of a fall. Watch this space for more details and if you are interested in knowing what to do to help an older friend, neighbour or family member, get in touch with us to register your interest.
Together, we can ensure that everyone feels secure and capable – no matter the challenge.