Heather McLean has witnessed first-hand the devastating consequences of a fall.

When she was aged in her 80s, her now late mother, Alison, fell off a ladder while washing the windows of her Pāpāmoa home.

“She fell through the window and luckily her neighbour heard, but she sliced her entire arm from wrist to armpit and also hit her head,” said Heather.

“She was a force of nature but afterwards, it really did affect her quality of life. She wasn’t able to drive for months and the concussion made her wobbly.”

McLean’s mother had two other bad falls. “One time, she didn’t have the strength to pick herself up so it took a long time to get help. Exercises and identifying potential trip hazards may have helped,” she said.

According to statistics from Age Concern, about one in three people aged 65-plus in New Zealand will have a fall every year.

Older people are more likely to fall because of weaker legs, poor balance, eyesight problems, nutritional deficiencies, hazards in the environment, or side effects from medications. Falls can cause serious injury and even death.

“During April Falls month, we’re bringing together experts at three events around the region who can educate seniors on how to avoid falls and how to fall safely,” said St John Hato Hone community engagement officer Berenice Langson.

“They’ll give advice on balance, how to strengthen muscles and how to use walkers more safely.”

The three Hato Hone St John April Falls workshops each begin at 10am in Tauranga at 146 17th Avenue on April 1, at 40 No3 Rd in Te Puke on April 9, and at Katikati Memorial Hall on April 29.

If you’d like to attend, or know who would benefit from the workshops, see their advert below.