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Information for Health Professionals

Windsor viewThis page has information that will be of use to health professionals who work with older people

Introduction

Accidents, and in particular falls are a major cause of death and disability in older people.  Did you know that in the UK there are over a million falls each year and that around 5% of falls result in a fracture?  Many falls result in a wrist or hip fracture, caused by osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis is a progressive systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and architectural deterioration of bone tissue resulting in increased bone fragility and risk of fracture.  It affects one in three women over the age of 50 and one in ten men.  ...more

We hope that the following information sheets, booklets and links to other websites will be useful in our efforts to raise awareness of this problem and reduce the numbers of falls and fractures.  We welcome your help in improving this website. Feel free to make suggestions in the comment box on the About page.   If you would like a reply then please include your e-mail address.

Contact

For further information on falls prevention services please call:  or Anya Ryan, Tel: 01753 63 8530

Documents

The table below lists each document, gives a brief description and has a link to download it or go to the page.

There are three types of document:

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Briefing Sheets

These three Briefing sheets provide the most important local Falls Service facts in a nutshell. They have been developed to inform busy professionals!  (68KB PDF files.)

PDF file icon Briefing Sheet - Bracknell
PDF file icon Briefing Sheet - Slough
PDF file icon Briefing Sheet - WAM

 

Title Download
 
Falls Clinic Referrals  
Falls Clinic Referral Form

This is the form to use if you wish to refer someone to one of the falls clinics or Intermediate Care Teams.  There is now one form for all the East Berkshire areas.

The questions will help you decide what would be the most appropriate service to assess and treat your patient/ service user.

It is advisable to discuss the referral with other key professionals but therapists, registered nurses in whatever setting, medical staff in primary or secondary care and social workers can all refer.

Referral Form PDF file icon 48KB
 
Assessment  

FRAX tool

The FRAX fracture calculation tool, developed by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases at Sheffield, gives the 10 year probability of hip and other major osteoporotic fracture (clinical spine, forearm and humerus).  Although falls are an important risk factor for fracture they unfortunately are not accommodated in the tool presently.

web site

Assessment of Falls Risk in Older People (the FRAT tool)

A basic, user-friendly assessment tool with useful options for intervention and referral.  Designed by Queen Mary College, University of London, but adapted for local use.

PDF file icon 137KB

Black Tool

Basic, user-friendly osteoporosis risk assessment tool.

PDF file icon 12KB

Falls Checklist

A list of things to check with an older person to help gauge how at risk they are to having a fall.  Also acts as a record of the checks being done and any intervention taken.  Primarily intended for use by physiotherapists.

PDF file icon 20KB

Screening Assessment for Prevention

A more detailed assessment tool also including osteoporosis risk factors.  Gives suggestions for intervention and referrals.

PDF file icon 45KB

Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool

This assessment tool was developed by Mary Tinetti, a physician and researcher at Yale University.  It is divided into two parts; Balance tests and Gait tests.  It is one of the most widely used mobility and gait assessment tests used in medical settings.   Developed and validated by Mary Tinetti, et al.

PDF file icon 84KB

FES-I Tool

A tool for measuring a person's concern about falling.

PDF file icon 20KB

TUG - Timed Up and Go Test

Basic, user-friendly mobility assessment tool measuring the probability for falls.

PDF file icon 44KB

Home Hazard Check-list

A check-list for assessing a home environment for potential hazards.

PDF file icon 88KB

Homefast - Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool

This validated tool provides a systematic way in which to assess home hazards in relation to falls risk.

Form 1 PDF file icon 332KB
Form 2 PDF file icon 56KB
Care Home 'Falls Care Pathway'

Recommended care pathway for older people who  fall within the care home setting. Developed in collaboration with the local  Ambulance Service and the Berkshire Care Association

PDF file icon 192KB
Care Home 'Falls and Fracture Risk' Assessment

Comprehensive yet user-friendly documentation to assist care home staff in  assessing their residents for fall and fracture risk

PDF file icon 46KB
Care Home Guide to Assessment and Intervention

Developed to assist fall and fracture risk assessment with suggestions for intervention and referral.

PDF file icon 44KB
Care Home Falls Register

A register to monitor the incidence of falls for care home residents.  It aims to encourage the identification of causes for falls and the need for risk assessment and intervention by practitioners.

PDF file icon 13KB
 
Medication  
Medication and the Risk of Falls in the Older person - The Facts

Lists some important facts on the connection between medication and the risk of falls and fractures. Also provides information on the degree of risk associated with specific drugs.

PDF file icon 24KB
 
Reference  

NICE link to osteoporosis guide TA160

This is the quick reference guidance on primary prevention of osteoporosis produced by NICE in October 2008.

web site

NICE link to osteoporosis guide TA161

This is the quick reference guidance on secondary prevention of osteoporosis produced by NICE in October 2008

web site
East Berkshire Primary Care Falls Pathway

This pathway flow-chart maps out the route that should be taken when someone is identified as being at risk of having a fall.

web page
Falls Reporting Template

This form is used to report all in-patient falls and ‘near misses’ and was designed to encourage staff to learn from falls as well as well monitor incidents.

PDF file icon 43KB

Falls Education Pack

A comprehensive staff information pack on the assessment and prevention of falls for in-patients

PDF icon 907KB
Useful Falls and Fracture Prevention Web Sites

Provides you with direct links to some very informative sources on falls and fracture prevention.

web page

Development of Falls Prevention Services in East Berkshire

Explains what services are being developed in the East Berkshire area.

web page

East Berkshire Falls Prevention Strategy

The Strategy details what programmes and services are available, and how they work together, to reduce falls and fractures in East Berkshire.

PDF file icon 224KB

Assistance Available if You Have had a Fall

Explains what help you can get from Social Services and other departments locally.

web page

Physiotherapists

Explains the role of Physiotherapists, what they can provide and how exercise can help you to avoid having falls.

web page

Occupational Therapists

Explains the role of Occupational Therapists and what they can provide to help those at risk from falls.

web page

Brief NICE Guidelines

Abbreviated version of the NICE guidelines on falls prevention.

PDF file icon 236KB

Full NICE Guidelines for Falls 2005

The full NICE guideline (August 2005).

PDF file icon 3.1MB (3,100KB)

Hip Protectors - Health Professionals' View

As the evidence regarding effectiveness of hip protectors is still inconclusive there is a link to the relevant section by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) including an article by Professor Julian Minns.

web page

Bibliography

Lists the sources of information used to produce this site.

web page

Archived Documents

A list of documents previously included on this site but now beyond their useful life, listed here for reference purposes.

web page

 

Training  

STEP – Slips and Trips - e-learning package

Learn more about the prevention of slips, trips and falls with this excellent e-learning package by the Health & Safety Executive.

Users are offered three levels of learning, Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced to cater for varying degrees of understanding. Learners can easily determine which is best suited for themselves.
This course aims to provide you with a thorough understanding of why slips and trips happen and how to prevent them. It contains detailed lessons, including some technical ones. If completed in full it will provide you with in-depth knowledge of slips and trips.

STEP is an eLearning package suitable for employees, managers and specialists.

Learn about how slips and trips are caused, how to spot hazards, why preventing them is important and what you can do to tackle them. It is an interactive package that includes quizzes, animations and video.
Complete this package to improve your understanding of slips and trips. To reduce accidents you will also need to take action in your workplace.

web site

 

Self-Help Guides  

I've Had a Fall - Chart

A chart, for older people, showing what you should do if you have a fall.
Also on this site as a web page.

PDF file icon 196KB
web page

Staying Steady

A leaflet from Help the Aged giving lots of practical advice on things to do to reduce your risk of having a fall.

PDF file icon 132KB

Healthy Bones

A leaflet from Help the Aged that explains about bone health and why it is important.  Also gives advice on how to look after your bones, e.g. by eating a healthy diet and having a healthy lifestyle

PDF file icon 140KB

Repair With Care Service

This service, by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, provides help with home repairs for older people.

web site
Falls Prevention Leaflets from Occupational Therapy  

Reduce the Risk of Falls

A four page leaflet that looks at all aspects of falls, what causes them and how best to avoid them.  Includes practical tips on reducing your risk of having a fall.

PDF file icon 104KB

Home Lifestyle

Looks at the whole home environment, highlighting common causes of risk and giving practical advice on how to minimise the risks.

PDF file icon 128KB

Travelling

Advice for reducing the risk of falling while travelling, including travelling by bus, things to look out for in accommodation and generally planning ahead.

PDF file icon 132KB

Non-Slip Mats

Explains the importance of non-slip mats in baths and showers - for everyone!  Gives advice on choosing the correct type for your bath/shower, how to use them correctly and care advice.

PDF file icon 88KB

Grab Rails

Advice on fitting and using grab-rails on a bath or shower including the different types, where best to place them and how to use them for best effect.

PDF file icon 380KB

 

Exercises  
Please Note: As with any exercise it is advisable to take it take it gently initially and build up gradually. Please speak to your doctor first if you are not used to taking physical exercise or have any queries. If you feel faint, experience chest pain or feel unwell in any way you should stop exercising and contact your doctor.  

s.m.i.l.e. Exercise Programme

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's SMILE programme is an exercise and activity club for you if you're over 50, 60, 70 or 80.

web site