Preventing Falls
The Community Falls pathway has been redesigned to prevent the numbers
of falls and falls related injuries for people over 65 by establishing a
community based Falls Service and incorporating non-clinical interventions
accessed through SAIL connections.
The new
Community Falls Team, which is a therapist led multi-disciplinary
team of specialist occupational therapists, physiotherapists, therapy
assistants and postural, stability instructors has been designed to
reduce the number of falls and harm suffered by people from falling. The team
provide clinical triage of patients via a designated fall helpline. The newly
established Falls Helpline allows a single point of access open to all to seek advice
and information and make referrals to the team for further assessment.
Referrals are received for patients across the whole falls and frailty
spectrum. Referrals receive clinical triage and patients are then assigned to
an evidence based intervention. The team also provides outreach and education
to partner and tertiary organisations delivering specialist falls prevention
education and advice sessions. The team is currently embarking on a new project
designed to outreach and support high risk care environments – offering a
programme of self-improvement to reduce the falls risk in these environments.
Community
based Stable and Steady movement sessions have been set up for people who have
fallen or who are at risk of falls. The data that is collected by the
service can be used to ensure that classes are held in locations that are
accessible without extended travel. Locations have been chosen based on
geography, need and accessibility.
More information:
Community Falls Poster - are you worried about falling
Community Falls Leaflet
Community Falls Poster - tips to stay steady