Falls Management
Not every fall can be prevented, however there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of a resident falling. Residents, care home staff, health care staff, family and friends all have a part to play in reducing the risk of a fall.
Some steps should be taken for all care home residents to reduce the risk of a fall. These include:
- Encouraging residents to stay active
- Promoting drinking plenty of liquid
- Wearing glasses and hearing aids
- Well fitting, non-slip footwear and using any agreed mobility aids
- At least annual medication reviews
Visitors can also support by encouraging residents to take these actions.
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Woodville care home – decorating walking frames Woodville care home supported their residents to decorate their walking frames in a way that reflected their interests. This gave residents a more positive view of using an aid, encouraging their use and helping them to pick out their own frame amongst the many in the home. |
In addition, the staff and environment are important. Staff should:
- Be familiar with their home’s policy and procedures on falls management
- Assess the whole care home environment for falls risks, such as trip hazards or poor lighting
- Be proactive in identifying and resolving any falls risk concerns
- Be trained in frailty and falls management
Training:
- NHSE elfh Hub (e-lfh.org.uk) Falls and fractures e-learning
- SCILS Learning Materials >> Social Care Information and Learning Services (scils.co.uk) (login required)
Spotting a person is at increasing risk of a fall is not always easy. Changes may happen slowly over time or may be triggered by an event such as being unwell. It is important for every person who has a risk of falling to have a personalised risk assessment and plan. This will be unique to the individual and will reflect their individual needs.
The Action Falls checklist can be used to support with this.
Things to consider when writing the risk assessment are:
- Using a tool to help you explore the individual risks and mitigations
- Be clear on why you have identified someone as at risk of falling
For some individuals a creative solution might be needed.
If there has been a sudden change consider using a deterioration tool such as Is my resident unwell, Restore2 or Stop and Watch to help identify what is causing concern. Seek help from health professionals as needed.
If there has been a more gradual change, consider requesting a review at the next care home round.
If a resident has had a fall, it is important that they get the right help. If they are seriously injured you may need to call 999, but in other situations an alternative approach might be more appropriate. This guide and flowchart will help to identify who to call when.
For urgent advice 8am – 8pm please contact:
Coventry UCR: 0300 200 0011, option 3
Warwickshire UCR: 01926 600818
Following a resident falling it is good practice to undertake a post fall investigation. This will ensure there is understanding on why the fall happened and identify any steps to reduce a recurrence.
For the individual:
- Review and update their personalised risk assessment
- Take steps to rebuild the person’s confidence to mobilise. This might include learning how to ‘fall well’ so there is less chance of injury in future.
- Seek advice or support from relevant services if an underlying cause needs assessment or intervention from a health service. Consider requesting a review at the next care home round to ensure the right service(s) are involved.