Case study: Falls prevention for older people
Amongst older people, falls and subsequent injuries represent a major health risk. Around 30% of people over the age of 65 will fall at least once each year, rising to 50% for those aged over 80. This equates to more than 130,000 older people in Wales experiencing at least one fall annually. The consequences are significant: falls cost the NHS an estimated £2.3 billion a year, with almost half of this (£1.1 billion) attributed to hip fractures alone.
One of the case studies featured in the report—Iechyd Da-wns! / Dance to Health—demonstrates the powerful preventative role the arts can play. This structured dance programme for over-60s is designed to reduce falls risk and build strength, balance and confidence. An evaluation of Dance to Health found the programme had the potential to save NHS England more than £79 million per year through avoided falls and reduced healthcare use. When these impacts are conservatively pro-rated to Wales’ older population, dance-based falls-prevention programmes could save £4.99 million per year for NHS Wales.
“Aesop is delighted that this study highlights Iechyd Da-wns!|Dance to Health as a programme that has real potential to improve lives and save the NHS money in Wales,” said Anna Williams, Interim CEO of Aesop Arts & Society. “We witness the benefits daily, with our participants building up their strength, balance and confidence as well as their social connections. Joy who attends our Morriston Marvels group on a Tuesday says, Dance to Health is ‘just what the Doctor should have ordered!”