Empowering older adults to prevent falls and stay active – FaME
FaME (Falls Management Exercise) is a 24-week structured exercise programme in the South West led by Postural Stability Instructors, designed to improve strength, balance and mobility, significantly reducing the risk of falls among older adults.
Impact
- Reduces falls by 26-54%, with some cohorts as high as 88%.
- Generates significant savings: £2.36 of healthcare money saved for every £1 invested in FaME; £50.59 social return of public health money on investment per £1 in FaME.
- Helps older adults remain physically active even for 12 months post-intervention.
- Lowers risk of costly incidents: hip fracture = £14,642, ambulance call-out = £249, hospital day = £1,104.
- Demonstrates real-world effectiveness comparable to clinical trials.
Within Livewell Southwest groups in Plymouth from May 2024-April 2025:
- 118 new participant assessments completed.
- 90 patients have started FaME, 63 have completed FaME.
Project summary
FaME offers an evidence-based, scalable intervention for preventing falls, one of the leading causes of emergency admissions among those aged 65+. Through instructor-led classes and at-home exercises, the programme builds strength, balance, flexibility and confidence in older adults.
In 2024/2025, Health Innovation South West engaged with stakeholders across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset to understand current approaches to falls prevention and identify how FaME can best support regional efforts, particularly in reducing hospital admissions and improving community-based care.
To support implementation, we have developed stakeholder resources and a NICE-endorsed toolkit for commissioners, NHS Trusts, and delivery partners, highlighting FaME’s benefits and proven impact in the South West.
Rationale
Despite existing interventions, 30%-50% of people aged 65+ still fall at least once annually. Most commissioned approaches have limited impact due to inadequate intensity, poor content and low engagement.
FaME addresses this with a structured, evidence-based model shown to outperform home-based Otago Exercise Programme and usual care options in reducing falls and improving physical activity.
Key stakeholders
- Health Innovation South West are the project lead, managing stakeholder engagement and regional implementation support for the ICBs. We also chair and host the National FaME Implementation team meetings with national providers who are delivering FaME, to understand their challenges and successes.
- NHS Devon, NHS Somerset and NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly are regional partners implementing FaME.
- National FaME Implementation Team are a collaborative network who support national learning and spread.
Next steps
Health Innovation South West will continue to support our regional ICBs with the implementation and spread of the FaME intervention. We will strengthen business case uptake using the NICE-endorsed FaME Toolkit and sustain long-term engagement through community and cross-sector partnerships.
Doing my housework is a lot easier, I'm digging with a spade in the garden and when I had to get down on the floor to read my meter, I managed to get up easier than I would have previously. So, I know the classes are helping me.
Livewell South West FaME participant
