Falls Prevention Programme: Preventing Falls at Home

As people get older, the natural ageing process reduces mobility through loss of muscle and increases the risk of having a fall. This is the reason the elderly must be very careful when they are doing any kind of physical activity, even walking.

Falls can happen at any time during the year. Whether it’s because people are out and about more enjoying the summer sun, or it’s the frosty mornings, reduced daylight and icy conditions in the midst of winter. The risk of physical injuries by falls, especially for the elderly, is always on the mind.

Falls are the most common cause of injury in the elderly

According to the NHS, the most common cause of injury in the elderly population is falling. “About 30%-50% of falls in the elderly result in minor injuries, including bruises, abrasions, and lacerations but an estimated 10% of all falls in the elderly cause major injuries, including intracranial injuries (ICIs) and fractures”.

A movement therapy session taking place

The most common causes of falls

Some of the most common contributors to fall risks for the elderly include:

Muscle weakness and balance problems: As people get older, a reduction in muscle mass and strength means they are less able to support stable movement and posture. This can also cause worse balance, which makes it harder for them to navigate their environment and recover from stumbles or trips.

Hazards in the home: Often people are less able to keep their living spaces clean and clear as they age, due to difficulty with mobility and fitness levels. Cluttered rooms, loose carpets and slippery floors due to spillages can all increase someone’s risk of having a fall.

Vision problems:Eyesight naturally tends to decline with age, and can be made worse by eye conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma. This can make it more difficult for people to spot and avoid trip hazards, leading to more falls.

Chronic health conditions: Health conditions, such as arthritis or Parkinson’s, can impact people’s balance, coordination and mobility, which over time may lead to an increasing probability of falling.

Medications: Some people may be taking medications to help with ongoing health conditions. Several common medication side effects including dizziness, drowsiness and low blood pressure can negatively impact someone’s balance and coordination.

Abbots Care Falls Prevention Programme

To help our service users to prevent falls, we work with HCPA to offer our service users in Broxbourne and Emmanuel Lodge an opportunity to work with a trained practitioner to build up their physical ability and to increase mobility. The classes are a 20 weeks Falls Prevention Programme run by HCPA.

The course is trying to reduce the risk of falls through chair-based exercises and to increase strength and improve their mobility and balance. The HCPA team takes measurements at the beginning, halfway and at the end of the course to measure their balance and overall risk of falls, with the idea being that the risk of falls reduces after completing the course.

The course is only in the preliminary stages, but it has shown to be successful, with our Service Users enjoying every minute of it. The classes are fun and also give Service Users the opportunity to meet other elderly people who live locally – promoting inclusivity and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.

A care provider and a group of elderly people stretching their arms in a meeting room

How to prevent falls at home

There are several simple things you can do to help support yourself or your loved ones at home to reduce their risk of falling. You can:

  1. Remove clutter and hazards from frequently used walkways.
  2. Improve lighting so it’s easier to spot obstacles and hazards.
  3. Install safety devices such as non-slip mats and handrails for extra security.
  4. Review medications that may be impacting balance and coordination with a health professional.
  5. Take part in our Falls Prevention Programme to increase strength, balance and mobility.

In the coming weeks, we will be posting You can follow the updates about our falls prevention programme on our social media profiles: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Follow us there to keep up-to-date with the course development and results.

We’re here to support you

Take a look at the elderly care services we provide to help elderly people maintain independence living in their own home. From visiting care to live-in care with support for complex needs, we offer a range of support to help people keep living their lives with dignity and freedom.