Falls prevention

As people grow older they are increasingly at risk of falling and consequent injuries. A fall may be the first indication of an undetected illness.

Our aim is to reduce the number of falls which result in serious injury and ensure effective treatment and rehabilitation for those who have fallen.

We do this by:

• carry out a 'Single Assessment' interview if required and refer clients to a professional/specialist for further assessment if needed
• hold 'Sloppy Slipper' exchanges
• provide access to a handyman or electrician and small equipment to prevent further falls
• provide information to older adults
• refer people to the Older people's voluntary sector partnership
• signpost older adults to services available in the borough.

Our service:

• is based on people's individual needs, including their ethnic background, culture, religious and gender needs
• fully involves service users and carers in all stages of assessment of their needs
• helps support carers and recognises their needs
• helps people to live safely and independently in their own homes
• shares information with service users and carers as part of the service provided
• works with other agencies such as health, social services, housing and other voluntary organisations.

Our service is a local response to The Department of Health's National Service Framework for Older People, Standard Six - Falls. The standard aims to reduce the number of falls which result in serious injury and ensure effective treatment and rehabilitation for those who have fallen as:

• one in three adults aged 65+ living in the community fall each year
• every 5 hours an older person dies as a result of an accidental fall in the home
• 40% of care home admissions are as a result of a fall
• fear of falling can inhibit people's daily activities
• 42% of fallers have at least an 18% reduction in activity after a fall
• hip fractures cost the NHS almost £2 billion each year.

Single Assessment Process

The Single Assessment Process (SAP) is an assessment carried out usually in a persons' own home. The assessor will discuss issues or problems that an older person may be experiencing that prevents them living as independently as they would wish and offers possible solutions to the difficulties. The difficulties a person may be experiencing could include:

• communication (language, speech, hearing and sight)
• emotional difficulties
• finance
• getting in and out of the bath
• health needs
• housing
• managing steps and stairs
• mobility
• personal care
• shopping, laundry, housework, preparing and cooking meals
• social contact.