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Falls Prevention and Risk Assessment in Care Homes (England) Policy

Policy Statement

This policy shows how {{org_field_name}} balances the protection of people who use services from unnecessary risks with the promotion of individuals’ independence and choice.

It is in line with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 for safe, person-centred care that always maintains people’s dignity and respect and the current NICE guidance, CG161: Falls in Older People: Assessing Risk and Prevention.

The policy links to that on Slips, Trips and Falls which addresses the service’s responsibilities under health and safety legislation to prevent injuries to people who use services and employees from falls.

Procedures

Each person has a full risk assessment conducted at the time of admission which includes their risk of falls. This is recorded in their service plan (care/support plan) and must be read by all care staff to ensure that they are aware of each person’s support needs.

The falls risk assessment includes:

• any history of falls, no matter how minor, which includes discussion with the person and their informal carers on their experiences of falling and how they have coped
• any medical risk factors, eg osteoporosis or blood pressure problems
• a full assessment of the user’s mobility or need for mobility aids/help with mobility (including getting in and out of bed, in and out of the bath, in and out of a chair, etc)
• a review of footwear and ability to dress
• any psychological factors, such as fear of falling, that might have limited the resident’s activities
• any rehabilitative factors, such as recovery from an existing falls injury or a related condition such as stroke, etc
• an environmental assessment (if necessary by an occupational therapist) to identify potential hazards and how they should be addressed to reduce risks.

Each person has an individualised plan of care, which considers the significant risks of their falling, as identified in the falls risk assessment and includes interventions designed to reduce or eliminate those risks. Examples include ensuring that people:

• do not get up from chairs too quickly
• have help getting out of the bath where necessary (bathroom slips, where water adds to the hazards faced by a frail person, are very common)
• with mobility problems have up-to-date mobility aids and know how to use them properly
• have adequate well-fitted footwear, including slippers
• who are at risk of falling are accompanied by care staff where necessary.

All people who use services will have a regular review of their medication.

All people who use services will have a regular health check/review.

Any person identified as having sensory/healthcare problems will be attended to as a matter of urgency by referral to an appropriate specialist (eg an optician in the case of eyesight problems) or by referral to the person’s GP in the case of, say, hearing or balance problems.

All falls risks are managed in collaboration with relevant local healthcare professionals (eg district nurses, community nurses, occupational therapists, etc) and in line with local falls prevention strategies and procedures. The local Falls Prevention Team contact details are: [insert details].

Every precaution is taken to ensure that hazards associated with slips, trips and falls are effectively controlled, not only to protect at-risk individuals who are receiving care but also to protect all other users of the home, including relatives, visitors, staff and contractors. These hazards include:

• trailing wires, cables and power leads (including temporary plugged-in devices like fires, vacuum cleaners and lights)
• hazards in stairways and doorways
• any hazards from slopes in the house or the garden, including pathways and driveways
• carpets and rugs that are worn, damaged, rucked up, curled at the edge or loose
• areas that are sometimes slippery due to spillages, such as bathrooms and kitchens
• rooms that are cluttered with furniture
• areas that are dimly lit
• areas that become icy in winter, particularly slopes or steps.

All staff responsible for conducting a risk assessment and falls assessment are trained:

• in this falls risk assessment and prevention policy, and have their training regularly reviewed and updated
• to be aware of the importance of falls prevention and of reporting any changes to a person’s condition that could increase their level of risk
• to be aware of slips, trips and falls hazards and to act to minimise those risks in line with health and safety guidelines.

Training

The service’s policy on falls prevention is covered in induction training.

Further and specialised training is provided for staff with specific roles and responsibilities for implementing the service’s policy on falls prevention and management.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}

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