Staff Training for Falls Prevention

I offer training for staff to help them to recognise fear of movement in their residents, give them ways to work with residents to overcome fear with the goal of helping residents to build their confidence when moving, “Fear, its effect on the way we move and how to overcome this and build confidence”

For even better promotion of mobility I run training for activity coordinators who want to provide “move with confidence”  classes for their residents. Find out more visit my education page.

About the Advisory Service

Following telephone discussions as to your needs.  I will then come and meet with senior members of staff to discuss residents who are regular fallers or in danger of falling.

We then briefly meet each resident and look at their environment and advise, where possible, on environmental changes.  Which could have a positive effect on safety/mobility.

Due to time constraints it is usually not possible to carry out a full physiotherapy assessment of the individuals.  Though, often it is possible to ascertain whether future referral to physiotherapy/occupational therapy services would be beneficial.

I can frequently advise whether trial of alternative aids may be useful for falls prevention. Plus offer suggestions by way of alternative handling or positive changes. Aiming to increase confidence in staff or the resident.

My experience and expertise are in human movement and what builds confidence/fear in individuals.

Often environment and personal practise go hand in hand to influence whether a person maintains their mobility (or, in fact improves), or they deteriorate and lose their confidence when moving.

Following the time spent with staff and residents I will produce a report with my observations regarding individual resident’s living space and how/why they move/fall….

Case Study Example:

From a previous report XX Room xxx

Xxx falls at night time when she gets out of bed to try to use the toilet. All appropriate measures such as pressure alarm are in place. However this has not prevented her from trying to toilet herself. Perhaps placing a commode close to her bed would be worth a try as she is trying to toilet herself. By using a commode would necessitate a shorter walking distance. Of course, the pressure alarm would still alert carers to come to her assistance when using the commode.

Alternatively, trialling a bed stick may also aid her sitting balance and help her to stand safely.

Consider swapping her large armchair to where her bedside table is. Then moving the table to the other side, would give her something firm to hold onto. As well as being a softer landing should she fall.

Included in the report would be general advice as to how to create an environment which encourages people to maintain their mobility and confidence.

Previous feedback from these days has been very positive and staff have found my level of expertise and knowledge informative and useful. Having external advice or reassurance that nothing else could be done is often helpful.