Susan took part in our free Falls Prevention Programme, as she was really worried about falling after an eye operation that left her with double vision for 10 months awaiting a further operation to improve her vision.
Susan said: “I’d lost all my confidence and balance. It got to a point where I was afraid to leave my house as there are two steps outside my front door. I’d make excuses not to meet up with friends or family. This is not like me at all, I’m not a ‘stay inside’ person.”
Unfortunately, her resistance to take part in any activity only exasperated the problem, as less physical activity led to mobility issues, increasing her chances of sustaining a fall. Susan said: “My daughter and granddaughter told me that I needed to see a doctor about my mobility issues. I eventually did go and shortly after I enrolled into the Falls Programme and have never looked back.”
Susan participated in the programme in the spring of this year (2025) and immediately recognised the benefits of the course. As she progressed through the classes, she could feel her balance improving and learnt how to recover from circumstances she could encounter at the beginning of a fall, saying: “The programme has completely changed my life. When I met the team at Mount Gould hospital they assessed what I could, and couldn’t do. At the time, I couldn’t even stand up and I felt so afraid that I was going to fall. I learnt so much from the programme. The part that improved my confidence the most was when they taught me how to fall if I felt like it was going to happen by using my legs to get my balance back. Turning was also a struggle, but I learnt how to look behind me without losing my balance. The more I do the exercises, the better I get.”
Susan expressed how much she valued the support she received from the falls team. “They were all so lovely and kind. Every single word they said to you was full of caring kindness. You felt like you could approach them with anything because you felt like they genuinely cared for you. Even after the class they would stay behind in case anyone wanted to talk to them if they felt afraid. I went to every class, and I would actually look forward to them. Even my daughter noticed how much I’d taken to it.”
Clearly, after participating in the programme, Susan feels stronger and has more confidence in her physical self thanks to our expert team of health improvement professionals.