Falls prevention and awareness - Guy's and St Thomas' NHS ...
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Falls prevention
and awareness
This leaflet explains the causes of falls and gives advice to
stop you having falls in the future. If you have any
questions, please speak to your therapist.
Did you know?
A third of adults aged over 65 will have at least one fall a year.
Half of adults aged over 80 fall once a year (NICE 2018).
Falls prevention
If you have had a fall, making changes to reduce your chances
of having another one can also help stop you fearing a fall.
Causes of falls
Dizziness
Environment - trip hazards, poorly fitting shoes
Poor or incorrect use of walking aids
Vision and hearing – not wearing glasses or hearing aids
can contribute to falls.
Poor balance caused by muscle weakness. As you age
your muscles weaken which can lead to falls.
If you have diabetes you may have poor sensation in your
feet which can affect balance.
Falls prevention
Simple tips to reduce the risk of falls while in hospital
When getting out of bed do not rush. Take your time and sit
over the edge of the bed for a little while before standing
up. If you feel dizzy or light headed do not stand until this
passes.
If you have been told by your physiotherapist to walk with
help, please call for help before moving.
Use your walking aid correctly, as shown by your therapist.
Make sure your footwear is well fitted, supportive and
secure.
Regular activity and exercise helps to improve your balance
and strength.
Be aware of attachments (intravenous fluids, catheter
bags), bedside tables and dressing gown cords, as these
could be trip hazards.
Wheelchair users must make sure their brakes are on at all
times when stationary or transferring from wheelchair to
bed.
Wear glasses/hearing aids when needed.
Drink water regularly to keep hydrated.
2
Mobility assessment and what to expect on
the ward
During your stay in hospital:
your physiotherapist will see you to obtain background
information, such as how you normally walk, your home
environment including what support you have at home, any
history of falls, and any concerns regarding your mobility
and balance
you will be advised, if needed, on appropriate footwear,
walking aids and be told how to use them
do the balance exercises and walking every day, with the
correct walking aids, to help maintain strength
your therapist will practice stairs, if needed, before
discharge.
Your therapist will tell you what to do if you do have a fall.
Remember always call for help and remain calm.
Exercises
Exercise increases your strength, improves balance and can
minimise your risk of falls.
Here are some chair exercises to help maintain or improve
your strength while you are on the ward.
Please ask your therapist if you have any questions about the
exercises.
3
1 Bottom raises
Use your arms and legs to raise your bottom off the chair.
Slowly lower yourself back to sitting.
Repeat 10 times, 3 times a day.
2 Heel slides
Sit upright in chair.
Slide one foot forwards and back as far as you can.
Repeat on other leg.
Repeat 10 times, 3 times a day.
4
3 Knee extensions
Sit upright in chair.
Straighten and bend
your left knee, and then
your right knee.
Repeat 10 times, 3
times a day.
To make the exercise
more challenging, try
and keep your knee
straightened for 3-5
seconds before lowering
4 Seated marching
Sit upright in chair.
Raise one knee up until
your foot is off the floor
and the back of the
thigh is off the chair.
Slowly lower foot back
to floor.
Repeat with other knee.
Repeat 10 times, 3
times a day, or until you
are tired.
5
Notes
6
Contact us
Sarah Swift Ward, t: 020 7188 7188, extension 88842
or 82268.
Luke Ward, t: 020 7188 7188, extension 83566.
For more information leaflets on conditions, procedures,
treatments and services offered at our hospitals, please
visit, w: www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/leaflets
Pharmacy Medicines Helpline
If you have any questions or concerns about your medicines,
please speak to the staff caring for you or call our helpline.
t: 020 7188 8748, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Your comments and concerns
For advice, support or to raise a concern, contact our Patient
Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). To make a complaint,
contact the complaints department.
t: 020 7188 8801 (PALS) e: pals@gstt.nhs.uk
t: 020 7188 3514 (complaints)
e: complaints2@gstt.nhs.uk
Language and accessible support services
If you need an interpreter or information about your care in a
different language or format, please get in touch.
t: 020 7188 8815 e: languagesupport@gstt.nhs.uk
NHS 111
Offers medical help and advice from fully trained advisers
supported by experienced nurses and paramedics. Available
over the phone 24 hours a day.
t: 111
7NHS website
Online information and guidance on all aspects of health and
healthcare, to help you take control of your health and
wellbeing.
w: www.nhs.uk
Get involved and have your say: become a member of the
Trust
Members of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
contribute to the organisation on a voluntary basis. We count
on them for feedback, local knowledge and support.
Membership is free and it is up to you how much you get
involved. To find out more, please get in touch.
t: 0800 731 0319 e: members@gstt.nhs.uk
w: www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/membership
Was this leaflet useful?
We want to make sure the information you receive is helpful
to you. If you have any comments about this leaflet, we
would be happy to hear from you, fill in our simple online
form, w: www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/leaflets, or
e: patientinformationteam@gstt.nhs.uk
Leaflet number: 4929/VER1
Date published: March 2020
Review date: March 2023
© 2020 Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
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