Activator walking group in the community

Description

In Ireland, 30% of people over the age of 65 and 50% of those over 80 years will experience a fall each year. The estimated cost of fall related injuries is projected to exceed two billion euro annually by 2030. Injurious falls may cause physical and psychological implications for individuals and their families. Fear of falling leads to social isolation and vulnerability.
This initiative was developed as a follow-on service to support patients participating in the Community and Hospital Falls Initiative currently being implemented across North Roscommon and East Galway Physiotherapy Services. Its aim is to further empower individuals to stay active and confidently engage with their communities.

With support from Roscommon Sports Partnership, Eimear (Physiotherapy Assistant) and Aoife (Occupational Therapy Assistant) received training as Activator Walking Instructors, having previously supported physiotherapy-led and Activator walking classes. Patients referred to the programme were assessed and approved by Theresa, Senior Physiotherapist with ICPOP, as suitable candidates for the Activator Walking Class.

A six-week pilot programme was launched at St. Brigid’s Hub in Ballinasloe, involving six patients. Due to its success, the programme was expanded to include ten participants from the wider community, specifically those attending Portumna Day Service. Notably, two of these participants have since begun attending the service independently—something they had not felt capable of doing before.

The class continues to thrive, with further sessions planned across Networks 7, 8, and 9 in the coming months.

This initiative exemplifies how supporting patient independence through community-based activity can improve quality of life while also contributing to the reduction of hospital and long-term care admissions.

Aim of Initiative

The initiative aims to promote active and independent living in older adults, and enables their successful aging in place within their own communities. The aim of the Walking class is to reduce the incidence of falls within the catchment area of Network 7, 8 & 9, reduce fear of falling among this age group, and to increase community participation in a Social, Safe and Fun based environment. This Initiative will lead to a decrease in Hospital and Nursing home admissions overall.

Who is it aimed at

This initiative is aimed at people over 65yrs who have had a fall, have a fear of falling, have a general decline in health and are under the guidance and therapy of the Physiotherapy department.

3 Steps critical to success

1. 1. Needs Assessment, Patient centred focused & Community Integration
   • Identifying a gap in post-falls support and community re-engagement.
   • Assessing and selecting suitable patients via clinical criteria, led by a Senior Physiotherapist (Theresa Drury, ICPOP).
   • Emphasis on empowering individuals to regain independence and engage in meaningful daily activities.
   • Created a supportive, social environment that fosters motivation and adherence.
   • Expansion into community settings like Portumna Day Service allowed for broader participation and impact.
   • Demonstrated real-world benefits, such as patients independently attending community services again.
2. 2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Staff Training,
   • Eimear Grehan (Physio Assistant) and Aoife Treston (OT Assistant) trained as certified Activator Walking Instructors.
   • Guidance, Mentoring and Clinical Governance supported by Physiotherapy Manager, Geraldine Gormley, ICPOP Senior Physio Theresa Drury and ICPOP lead Jarlath Keady.
   • Training supported by Roscommon Sports Partnership, to deliver the programme.
   • Close collaboration between Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy teams.
   • Integration with community services (e.g., Portumna Day Service) to ensure continuity of care.
3. 3. Pilot Testing, Outcome Monitoring & Feedback, Scalability & Forward Planning
   • A 6-week pilot held in a familiar, accessible setting (St. Brigid’s Hub) to test feasibility and patient engagement.
   • Small, manageable group size to ensure quality, support and safety.
   • Regular monitoring of patient progress and collecting feedback.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Challenge:
   1. Limited Staff,
   Solution: Physiotherapy Manager
   Supported OT & Physio Assistant to Train, Reducing Physio input to assessment of patient suitability, and guidance/advice to staff,
   2. Limited Trained Staff in walking programme
   • Solution: Partnered with Roscommon Sports Partnership to train existing Physio and OT Assistants (Eimear and Aoife) as certified Activator Walking Instructors, building internal capacity and confidence.
2. Challenge: Patient Suitability & Safety Concerns
   • Solution: Patients were clinically assessed by a Senior Physiotherapist (Theresa, ICPOP) to ensure they were medically and functionally appropriate for the programme.
3. Challenge: Transportation or Accessibility Issues
   • Solution: Delivered the programme in existing community hubs and day services (e.g., Portumna), reducing travel barriers and improving convenience.
   • Solution: Ensured alignment with existing falls initiatives and ICPOP pathways, positioning the programme as a natural extension of care.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. 1. Patient Benefits.
   1. Patient Benefits.
   • Participants reported increased confidence and mobility, with some regaining the ability to attend services independently.
   • Regular participation in walking sessions encouraged consistent movement and helped prevent physical decline.
   • The structured programme complemented existing falls prevention efforts, improving balance and coordination.
   • Patients experienced a renewed sense of connection, reducing isolation and enhancing mental health.
   • Bridged the gap between physiotherapy discharge and long-term community support, maintaining gains made in therapy.
2. 2. Empowered Staff & Sustainable Delivery, Community-Based Accessibility
   • Training Physiotherapy and Occupational assistants to lead sessions created internal capacity and allowed for scalable, sustainable programme expansion
   • Holding sessions in familiar community settings like St. Brigid’s Hub and Portumna Day Service improved attendance and comfort.
3. 3. Positive Feedback and Demand for Expansion
   • High satisfaction from participants and staff led to increased interest and plans to extend the programme across Networks 7, 8, and 9.