Care Homes

Falls become more common as we get older, and the risk is even greater for older adults living in care homes. Care home residents are three times more likely to fall than older adults living in their own home. However, in many cases, taking the right steps at the right time can actively support an individual and reduce the risk of falls and harm from falls.

Many things contribute to this increased risk, including (but not limited to):

Frailty
Presence of long-term conditions
Physical inactivity
Taking multiple medications
Memory problems or cognitive decline
Being in new or unfamiliar surroundings

The factors that contribute to a person’s risk of falling are unique to them. For this reason, the approach to managing and preventing falls in care homes must be person-centred and tailored to each individual resident. Implementing successful strategies to reduce falls risk can have a huge impact on a resident’s level of independence, participation, and enjoyment in life.

This page is designed to provide information and useful resources for carers and care providers working in the community.

World Falls Guidelines: Guidance for managing falls in care homes

The World Falls Guidelines, which were published in 2022, provide some clear and useful guidance on how best to assess for and manage falls risk for residents of care homes.

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Recording & Reporting Falls

An important part of falls prevention planning in the care home is learning from falls that have happened previously, to help reduce the risk of a similar fall happening again.

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Falls Prevention & Post-Fall Management Resources

Within this section, you can find useful resources for Falls Prevention & Post-Fall Management

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