Oxfordshire Falls Prevention Service
Sections in this leaflet
Introduction
What is a fall?
A fall is an unintentional coming to rest on the floor or a surface lower than the start position with or without injury. (WHO, 2007)
Falls are not just the result of getting older and many falls can be prevented. Some older people may be reluctant to seek help and advice from a GP and other support services about preventing falls because they believe their concerns will not be taken seriously.
But all healthcare professionals take falls in older people very seriously because of the significant impact they can have on a person’s health.
Many falls can be prevented. Oxfordshire Falls Prevention Service offers support and advice to help people avoid falls and regain confidence if they have experienced a fall. Falls are not just the result of getting older.
The Falls Prevention Service
Our falls specialists are qualified health professionals (Nurse or Therapist) who have undertaken specific training in the diagnosis and management of falls.
If needed, we will offer you a one-off appointment for a falls assessment.
This appointment will involve gathering a detailed falls and medical history and discuss how you are managing everyday activities. Please be aware that there is a waiting list for appointments.
We carry out a range of investigations which includes blood tests, blood pressure with you lying and standing, bone health assessment, medication review, home hazard assessment, test your strength and balance and we may do other investigations if required.
We will aim to discover the reasons for your falls and make recommendations to reduce your risk of falling and injury in the future.
This may include advice to your GP, lifestyle changes and referrals to other services as necessary.
Reducing Your Falls Risks At Home
General
Get help to do things you are unable to do safely on your own
Do not rush to answer the door or telephone
Organise your home so that climbing, stretching and bending are kept to a minimum, and to avoid bumping into things.
Check for trip hazards such as loose wires and rugs
Remove clutter and keep walkways clear
Kitchen
Keep things within easy reach
Avoid climbing on chairs and stools
Clean up spills immediately Bathroom
Use a non-slip mat in the bath or shower
Consider grab rails by the bath or shower and toilet
Bedroom
Turn on the lights at night when getting out of bed and take your time before moving. Consider having movement sensor lights
Keep a torch beside your bed in case of a power cut
Avoid wearing long trailing night wear and loose bedding
Ensure you have a clear walkway to your bed
Stairs and Hallway
Use the handrail and make sure it is secure, consider having a handrail both sides of the stairs
Keep stairs clutter free
Put marker strips on the edge of stairs so you can see them more easily
Avoid carrying loads up and down stairs
Make sure halls and stairs are well lit
Outside
Leave an outside light on when returning home at night
Consider fixing loose and uneven pathways
Consider rails for outdoor steps
Avoid bending down and stretching up when hanging out the washing
Have a means of support close by
Ensure you have a means of summoning help e.g wearing your pendant alarm and/or having your mobile telephone to hand
Other Considerations
Eyesight
It is recommended to have your eyes tested annually.
Varifocals and bifocal glasses can increase your risk of falling particularly on steps, so please consider single lenses
Footwear
Wear proper fitting supportive footwear.
Take care of your feet by trimming your toenails or use the Podiatry website to find a local practitioner www.rcpod.org.uk then click “find a podiatrist”.
Or Age UK Footcare service is 01865 717 615.
Fluids
It is recommended that you drink 6-8 cups/mugs/glasses of non-alcoholic drinks a day.
Try to increase the amount you drink, unless you have been told you are on a fluid restriction.
Infection
Having an infection will increase your risk of falling.
Should you feel you have an infection – this may include urinary symptoms, new cough, having a new confusion or being less steady on your feet.
Please seek help as soon as possible either from your GP, 111 or 999, Minor Injuries Unit or First Aid Unit or Pharmacy.
Walking Aids
Using your stick or walker gives your brain extra information to help your balance, as does touching any surface. Use your walking aid all the time if you need one.
Bone Health
Increase your daily intake of calcium and vitamin D (dairy or alternatives products, tinned boned fish, green leafy vegetables and sunlight).
Physical Activity
Try increasing your physical activity, there is evidence that strength and balance exercises decrease the risk of falls.
There are a variety of local groups that can help.
Stay strong and steady
www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/ourservices/exerciseandwellbeing/
Move Together is to support you getting back to exercise
Move Together | GO Active (getoxfordshireactive.org)
Active at Age UK Oxfordshire
They can be contacted on 01235 849 403 or active@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk
Balance
Concentrate on doing one thing at a time and stand up and turn slowly.
Get up from your bed and chair slowly and in stages. First sit up, and then sit on the side of the bed before standing. Count to 10 before setting off.
Make sure you have your walking aid to hand or something to hold on to when standing up.
If possible, sit when washing, showering, dressing or when working in the kitchen, otherwise lean against the counter or basin.
Talk to your GP
- you have unintentional weight loss.
- you have any uncontrolled pain.
- you feel low in mood and need help.
- you think your memory is not as good as it once was.
- your feet feel numb or like cotton wool.
- If you have not had your medications reviewed in the last year
Talk to your GP, Practice Nurse, or Community Nurse
If you notice any skin discoloration or broken areas, please discuss at the earliest opportunity. You may be at risk of skin damage on your pressure points.
Useful Contacts
Oxford Health Single Point of Access (SPA) are open 8.00am to 8.00pm, 7 days a week to access various community health services including:
• Falls Prevention Service
• Community Physiotherapy
• Community Occupational Therapy
• Community Nurses
• Community Bladder and Bowel
Contact 01865 903750
Oxfordshire County Council Adult Social Care if you feel you need some help at home or other social care reasons.
Contact 0345 507666 www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/social-and-health-care/adult-social-care
Age UK are an excellent source of free and independent advice about a wide range of topics.
Contact 0345 450 1276 www.ageuk.org.uk
Live Well Oxfordshire A Directory of services in Oxfordshire
Contact 01235 849410 livewell.oxfordshire.gov.uk
The Fire Service. Have you got a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide sensor? If not contact the Fire Service. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/fire-and-public-safety/fire-and-rescue-service/safe
Carers Oxfordshire Contact 01235 424715 www.carersoxfordshire.org.uk
Oxfordshire Specialist Advisory Service (OSAC) for benefit and money advice.
Contact 01865 410660
Dementia Oxfordshire provide support for living with Dementia.
Contact 01865 410210 www.dementiaoxfordshire.org.uk
Attendance Allowance To help with funding your care needs you may be eligible for Attendance Allowance, which is not means tested. Age UK can advise who to contact if you need help completing this form.
Contact 0800 731 0122 www.GOV.UK
Refuse collection Contact your local council for assisted bin collection
My Homework
What 3 changes can I make to reduce my falls risks?
1
2
3
How will I make these 3 changes to reduce my falls risks?
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2
3
What to do if you have a fall?
1. STOP, THINK, PLAN AND ATTRACT HELP. Use your pendant alarm or mobile phone or crawl to a telephone, bang on the floor or shout. Try to get up if you can.
2. KEEP WARM. Cover yourself with anything to hand, i.e a towel, rug, or blanket.
3. KEEP MOVING. Move the parts of your body that don’t hurt to prevent pressure building up on the bony parts.
Get Involved
We are keen to involve service users in how we develop our service.
Why get involved?
- To use personal experiences of healthcare to help improve quality and develop services
- To use skills to improve healthcare services
- Used lived experiences to empower others and educate staff
What can I get involved with?
- Interviewing potential new staff members
- Presenting a personal healthcare story to help the team or Trust learn from your experiences
- Reviewing and developing essential information such as leaflets, posters and websites
- Helping to develop and deliver training for our staff
- Participating in a focus group to give your views on a specific topic
How do I get involved?
Contact getinvolved@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
General guidance: Contact us
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Trust Headquarters,
Littlemore Mental Health Centre, Sandford Road, Littlemore, Oxford OX4 4XN
- Switchboard: 01865 901 000
- Email: enquiries@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
- Website: www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
Become a member of our Foundation Trust: www.ohftnhs.uk/membership
Page last reviewed: 4 March, 2025