Reducing falls risks at home: our impact on community health

Falls are the biggest cause of accidents in the home, placing a huge strain on individuals, their families and the NHS. In fact, every two minutes, someone attends A&E in England because of an accidental injury they suffered at home. Of these serious accidents, falls are by far the most common, impacting the health, confidence and independence of ageing adults. 

New analysis conducted for the Centre for Ageing Better by BRE also reveals the huge financial repercussions to the NHS and society. However, through earlier intervention efforts and increased awareness of home hazards, healthcare stakeholders can empower people to reduce their risk and move falls prevention further upstream. 

And nationwide, Steady On Your Feet is doing just that. Featuring a wealth of advice, our powerful online platform equips individuals with the knowledge and resources to maintain mobility and independence. This includes a dedicated Home Safety section that helps users spot common causes and discover easy ways to make their environment safer; ultimately reducing the likelihood of falls and the need for specialist services.

Millie Brown, Senior Evidence Manager for Homes at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “The consequences of a fall can be catastrophic. Even though such falls may be momentary, the effects can be long-lasting, particularly if there is a fracture.

“Of course, there can be many reasons for falls. But homes that lack basic adaptations can play a significant role in increasing the risk. This is an unnecessary threat that risks causing unnecessary pain and injury to older people, unnecessary stress and worry to their loved ones and taking up unnecessary time and resources on the NHS with more than 200,000 emergency hospital admissions following falls by people aged 65 and over every year.

“Improving the homes of older people would help significantly reduce the number of falls in this country and their associated cost to the NHS.”

From simple tips to guidance on accessing local support and funding, our customisable platform helps NHS trusts and local authorities raise awareness of potential falls hazards in and around the home. 

Cheshire is the latest region to launch their own localised falls prevention website through Steady On Your Feet. Developed in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire East Council and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, the platform includes a comprehensive information library, as well as an interactive self-assessment tool. This integrates existing resources and enhances partnership working while allowing older adults to create and manage individual action plans with automated follow-ups. 

Perhaps most crucially in the context of falls at home, Steady On Your Feet improves access to information by offering a single point of access that’s embedded in the community. From here, risk can be identified earlier and measures implemented sooner, mitigating the chance of falls and consequential healthcare spending. 

As we look to the future, we’re committed to expanding the reach of Steady On Your Feet, ensuring that healthcare stakeholders, communities and individuals benefit from our coordinated approach to falls prevention. By working closely with NHS trusts and local authorities, we are setting new standards in preventive care, leading to more active, healthy and independent lives.

Join us on our journey. Together, we can inspire better outcomes for all. 

To find out how our powerful online platform can be rolled out in your region, visit Steady On Your Feet or contact us at info@steadyonyourfeet.org.

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