The pilot Edinburgh Falls Prevention Programme has improved the quality of life for older people living at Glencairn Care Home, run by Renaissance Care, by helping residents stay mobile, maintain their independence and reduce their risk of falls.
Delivered in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure, the programme has improved residents’ mobility and achieved a 100 per cent reduction in falls. Residents have also reported greater independence, confidence and improved wellbeing. The programme supports one of our key strategic aims: preventing people from coming to harm as a result of falls. We measure this through reducing the number of people admitted to hospital following a fall that results in a fracture.
Hannah Cairns, our Chief Allied Health Professional, said “The results from this pilot scheme are incredibly encouraging and represent another step towards our aim of preventing people coming to harm from falls.”
Rene Rigby, from Scottish Care, said “The evaluation findings show that the programme has demonstrated meaningful improvements in physical function amongst participants.
“In addition to the physical benefits, there is strong evidence of improved wellbeing. Residents demonstrated increased talking, concentration, participation, smiling and laughter throughout the programme, while self-rated health scores also improved.
“Feedback from residents, relatives and care home staff consistently highlighted increased confidence, improved mood, greater independence and enhanced quality of life.”
Jozi Stables, manager of Glencairn Care Home, said “The improvement in our participating residents’ confidence has fed into every aspect of their lives at Glencairn.
“They are more confident in moving around, they are more involved in activities in and outside the home and there is more social interaction between individuals.”
Similar results were also achieved at Cairdean House, a residential home in Colinton operated by Care UK, which also took part in the project.
For those keen to hear more about this system-wide work and the wider Falls Prevention Framework, further details and resources are available:
• Public health messaging on falls prevention: I Live in Edinburgh – Falls Support
• Available resources, referral routes and interventions for health and social care practitioners: Community Falls Prevention and Management Pathways
• The Edinburgh Leisure Balanced Life programme