React to falls

We know that all care home residents are at high risk of falls, we know that families and care home staff work hard to keep residents healthy, safe and happy. We also know that falls have a huge financial and personal impact.

That's why researchers at the University of Nottingham have worked with care home residents and staff on this falls prevention app, to help people reduce the number of times they fall over.

The React To Falls app has been designed using our research evidence and will guide you through different areas of risk that might cause a fall, giving practical tips in bite size pieces of information that have been shown to reduce falls and reduce the effects of falling over.

Risks are categorised into six areas – Activity, Communication and Understanding, Environment and Equipment, Review Medical History and Physical Health and Personal Hygiene.

This app can be used by anyone wanting to prevent someone they know having a fall, including residents themselves and their families. It does the following:

· Provides realist and practical suggestions of what you can DO

· Prompts to tailor the actions to support each individual resident

· Provides detail that will give you confidence that you are doing the right things

· Helps you react to falls before they happen

· Supports residents to remain active and make their own lifestyle choices

· Recognises managing falls is a continuing process

We know you will find this a useful resource, any feedback to help improve any future versions is welcome."