Information for Care Home Professionals

Care home residents are three times more likely to fall than those living independently. Good training, regular reviews and person-centred support can make a big difference.

Older people living in care homes face a higher risk of falling, but many of these falls can be prevented. With a person-centred approach, consistent recording and tailored support, care teams can reduce risk, promote independence and help residents maintain quality of life.

Why falls prevention matters in care homes

• Residents are three times more likely to fall than older people living in their own homes.
• Falls can lead to serious injury, reduced confidence, and hospital admission.
• But many falls are preventable - and every fall is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Preventing falls doesn’t mean limiting activity. It means creating safe, supportive environments that encourage mobility and confidence while reducing risk.

Best practice in care homes

Falls prevention should be:

• Person-centred – tailored to each resident’s needs, preferences and circumstances
• Proactive – identifying and managing risk factors early
• Coordinated – involving all staff, health professionals, residents and families
• Ongoing – reviewed regularly and adjusted when needed

Key areas to consider:

• Initial and ongoing falls risk assessments
• Prompt, structured post-fall reviews
• Regular medication reviews to spot fall-related side effects
• Support for mobility, strength and balance through appropriate activity
• Safe environments with good lighting, clear walkways and well-fitting footwear
• Staff training in prevention, reporting, and compassionate care

Recording and reporting falls

Consistent, clear documentation is vital — it helps build a clearer picture of when, where and why falls happen, and how best to prevent future incidents.

When recording a fall:

• Focus on facts, not assumptions
• Note where, when, who was involved, and what activity was being done
• Include whether the fall was observed and any injuries or outcomes
• Describe any interventions given
• Outline the follow-up actions taken to prevent recurrence

Always follow your organisation’s local falls policy, including any post-fall checks or reporting procedures.

Falls prevention and post-fall management resources

Supporting your team with the right resources can help build confidence and reduce risk. Here are two excellent tools designed specifically for care home staff:

REACT to Falls

A free online training package to support care home staff. Includes short videos, downloadable guides, and a mobile app covering fall risk factors and actions to reduce them.

Access REACT to Falls

Switching to Decaf

A webinar exploring how reducing caffeine intake — especially in the evening — can reduce the risk of falls. Delivered by Care England and University Hospitals of Leicester.

Watch the webinar

World Falls Guidelines (2022)

The World Falls Guidelines offer evidence-based, expert-led recommendations to support safe, effective falls prevention in care settings.

Key recommendations for care homes:

• Assume all residents are at high risk unless clearly demonstrated otherwise
• Complete a multifactorial falls risk assessment on admission and revisit regularly
• Assess and update the care plan after every fall to avoid repeat incidents and unnecessary hospitalisation
• Ensure all staff receive training in falls prevention
• Avoid physical restraints as a method of preventing falls
• Support residents to stay active with strength and balance exercises
• Provide vitamin D supplementation and a calcium-rich, protein-rich diet
• Involve the wider team — including pharmacy, physio, and community care support

Read the World Falls Guidelines

Useful Links and Contacts

[box]

Information for Care Homes (NICE)

All NICE products in care homes. Includes any guidance and quality standards.

View NICE website

[/box]

[box]

REACT to Falls

React To Falls resources have been developed by Professor Pip Logan, Dr Jane Horne, Dr Katie Robinson, Katherine Jones, Jane Balmbra and Kate Robertson in collaboration with clinical colleagues at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Crocodile House Ltd. 

View REACT to Falls website

[/box]

[box]

World Falls Guidelines

The World guidelines for falls prevention and management for older adults are a global initiative to create a set of evidence- and expert consensus-based falls prevention and management recommendations

More about the World Falls Guidelines

[/box]