1. Overview of the Sheltered Housing Wardens Falls Education Programme
Carolyn Wilson
Falls Service Manager
Perth and Kinross

2. Up and About Pathway Sheltered Housing Wardens may be involved in:
Stage 1: Supporting active ageing – falls prevention, health improvement, exercise/activity promotion
Stage 2: Identification of fallers and referral on for stage 4.
Stage 3: Responding to an individual who has just fallen

3. Learning Outcomes for P&K Falls Training Programme
Understand the extent of the problem
Have insight into the consequences of falling
Have increased awareness of falls risk factors
Identify falls risk and prevention strategies including referring on
Involve tenants with falls prevention and have tools to deliver a Falls Education Programme for tenants.

4. Session programme Introduction to falls
Falls education and how you might get the key points over to tenants.
Consequences of falls, additional causes
Dealing with fallen tenant
Post fall checklist
Pathway to falls service
Environmental
Additional including Home Safety Officer, Datalink, Telecare

5. Methods of Raising Awareness
Falls Prevention literature
Posters, Bookmarks
One-to-one
Carer education
Lecture style teaching
Planned structured group programme
Ad-hoc – when situations arise

6. Falls Education Groups
Allows tenants interaction
Opportunity to share experiences
Stimulate group members to think, to feel and to act.
Provide psychological, social and physical support.
Provide advise, support and supply information.
Can be less intensive than one-to–one.
Targets more people at one time.
Groups are not for everyone!
The following provides a possible framework – can do in as many or as few sessions as wish!!

7. Possible Programme Plan
Session 1 -  Introduction to Falls Awareness.
Session 2 – Transfers/Posture/Exercise
Session 3/4 – Eyesight/Footcare and Footwear/Diet/ Medication
Session 5 – Environment
Session 6 - What to do if have a fall

8. Session 1 Group exercise – 3 causes of a fall and action
Discuss above together
Video/DVD (if have one)
Group discussion on falling – How? Why? Where? When? How coped? Lessons learned

10. Session 2 Revision of any important issues of session 1
Transfer Advice/Practice
Balance and Posture Advise
Discussion on how our bodies are if tense/ relaxed and advise on this.
Moving around safely and promotion of exercise

11. Posters in manual

12. Session 3/4 Reinforce any issues from previous 2 session
Cover issues on the following
Eyesight
Footcare and Footwear
Dietary advise
Medication

13. Session 5 Environmental Aspects Use Falls handout Refer to Video
Exercise on identifying bad aspects from the adapted ROSPA posters
Discussion as to aspects they may consider changing within their own homes and when outdoors

16. Session 6 Reinforce all of above
What to do if have a fall – demonstrate
Possibly have a community alarm pendant and discuss how this works, discuss pull cords system.
Rest and wait plan.
Evaluation of previous weeks

17. Also if a tenant mentions they have had a fall
Ask WHY they thought they fell?
WHERE they fell?
WHAT they were doing?
HOW they coped?
Any WARNINGS prior to fall?
List all possible causes
Discuss with client possible reasons for falls e.g. why did they think they fell, where about was fall, what activity doing prior and at time of fall, time of day, did they feel any different immediately prior to fall. how they coped with fall. Document all of possible causes

18. Post Fall Checklist

19. Referring Tenants to the Falls Assessment Service
Sheltered Housing Wardens can refer clients to the Falls Service.
Protocol - > 2 falls in 6 month period.
Simpson Falls Clinic staff will allocate referral to most appropriate Clinic or to the Community Falls Assessment Service.
Local Authority Sheltered Housing log fall on Swift and picked up by Community Alarm Falls Assessor.
GP will receive a discharge/outcome letter following assessment and/or treatment

20. Any Questions