Occupational Therapist, Charlotte Warren facilitated a top down approach to raising awareness of falls risks during National Falls Awareness Week at Broughton Lodge, education doesn’t always have to be in the classroom!

Utilising existing activities familiar to the attendees and with the knowledge the attendees enjoy these activities.

Cygnet Broughton Lodge is a 16 bed residential service for adults with autism and learning disabilities. The below activities were completed over the week:

Balance and strength circuits

After recently concluding multiple weeks of sensory circuits, OT set up circuits which included stepping stones, a balance board and scooter board. Whilst also building strength and balance, we were working on regulating our nervous systems, reducing the risk of challenging or crisis behaviours which can result in falls.

  

 

Fall hazards scavenger hunt

As the British weather was on our side for Falls Awareness Week, the service completed a falls hazards scavenger hunt, finding 10 different pictures of falls hazards hung up around the grounds outside, encouraging additional step counts for the day! This approach not only educated the residents in the service but the support team too!

Hydration group

 Educating the support team and residents of the increased risk of falls due to dehydration. We had lots of fun in our drinks creating group, group members were able to select drinks of their choice, pour these into a mixer, shake their drinks and sit down to complete some colouring whilst enjoying the drink they created. Accessible information was also shared regarding signs and symptoms of dehydration.

Games, music and dancing

As often we distinguish movement as “exercise” such as running or attending the gym, the aim was to educate that movement can be anything that gets our body moving, including dancing!

Group members attended their weekly music and games group with Psychology and Activity Co-ordinator with the addition of dancing to finish. Group members were encouraged to share a song they like and all attendees danced around the activity room!

Thank you to SLT, Psychology, Activity Co-ordinator, management and the support team at Broughton Lodge, none of this would have been achievable without you!

Visit the Cygnet Healthcare team on stand J30 at the Occupational Therapy Show.