Falls Prevention

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.

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.

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.

Black Tool

Basic, user-friendly osteoporosis risk assessment tool.

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.

Screening Assessment for Prevention

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

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.

FES-I Tool

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

TUG - Timed Up and Go Test

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

Home Hazard Check-list

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

NICE link to osteoporosis guide TA160

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

NICE link to osteoporosis guide TA161

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

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

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.

Falls Education Pack

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

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

Development of Falls Prevention Services in East Berkshire

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

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.

Assistance Available if You Have had a Fall

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

Physiotherapists

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

Occupational Therapists

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

Brief NICE Guidelines

Abbreviated version of the NICE guidelines on falls prevention.

Full NICE Guidelines for Falls 2005

The full NICE guideline (August 2005).

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.

Bibliography

Lists the sources of information used to produce this site.

Archived Documents

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Repair With Care Service

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

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.

Home Lifestyle

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

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.

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.

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.

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.