Evaluation of the Hampshire Steady and Strong Falls Prevention Programme

How are the public involved in the evaluation?

The PHIRST Light research team are committed to ensuring public voices are included throughout the entirety of each evaluation, with an additional emphasis on capacity building for effective and inclusive public contribution within local authorities. As part of the evaluation development process, a Hampshire-based patient and public involvement (PPI) group was established to advise on and assist with the evaluation design and delivery. This group was supported by two members of the PHIRST Light public advisory group (PAG) and comprised nine users of exercise classes across Hampshire (aged over 65 years). Members of the PPI group were invited to initial online workshops to review the proposed methodological approaches and questions, with the received feedback shaping the final research protocol. Throughout the duration of the evaluation, the PPI group have helped to co-produce recruitment strategies and materials that are accessible and inclusive, including shaping wording of the interview guides, alongside developing our dissemination approach.  

Lay summary of research

Falls present a significant public health concern in older adults living both independently and in supported housing. Approximately one third of adults over the age of 65 will fall at least once a year, increasing to half of those over the age of 80. Falls can lead to personal injury, such as fracture and hospitalisation, alongside personal distress, loss of independence and reduced confidence. Injuries secondary to a fall cost the NHS more than £2.3 billion per year. Falls prevention is an important priority for Hampshire.  It is the third most populous county and has an ageing population that is significantly higher than the national average. Hampshire County Council (Adult’s Health and Care Team) coordinate training to deliver the Steady and Strong programme, which aims to reduce the rate of falls across the county by improving strength and balance through evidence-based falls prevention exercise programmes. This evaluation aims to understand how effective these newly developed exercise programmes are at improving functional fitness (i.e. strength and balance) as proxy measures for falls risk.