The problem of falls
Falls can have a devastating impact
The World Health Organisation defines a fall as:
“An event which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level.”
Falls are estimated to cost the NHS £23 billion per year, but the impact of falls is more than financial.
Falls cause injuries and distress to the person who fell, their loved ones and those who provide care for them. The impact of falls can include pain, loss of confidence, loss of independence and mortality.
Having a fall increases the risk of future falls as it can start a “falls cycle.” In the fall cycle, falling leads to an increased fear of falling again, which means people move less and can become more dependent.
Following this, people may lose physical ability and fitness, which further increases their risk of falling again as they struggle to maintain their balance.
Falling over is not a natural consequence of ageing. The evidence is clear that the best way to prevent falls is through regular, holistic assessment of an individual’s risk factors in order to take targeted actions. This keeps the conversation about falls prevention going and turns static risk stratification into dynamic actions. This is the ethos of Action Falls.
Falls in Care Homes
As of 2022, it is estimated that there are over 408,000 people living in over 15,000 care homes in the UK. Although the population of care home residents fluctuates, this is equivalent to 4% of the total number of people over 65 living in the UK, rising to 15% of those aged 85 and over.
Many of these care home residents have multiple long-term conditions and reduced mobility levels. This means that they are likely to need some assistance with daily living. As a result, they are 3 times more likely to have a fall when compared to someone of a similar age who lives in the community.
