19 September 2024
Delta CONNECT: helping to reduce the risk and impact of falls
Delta CONNECT: helping to reduce the risk and impact of falls
Falls can happen to anyone, but we may be more at risk as we age. They can lead to severe injuries, which can affect our independence, but the good news is that they can be prevented, and older adults have the power to reduce their risk of falling.
Falls Awareness Week, taking place from Monday, September 16 to 22, is a national campaign to raise awareness about the risks of falls among older adults. This year’s theme is ‘From Awareness to Action’.
Falls can have significant consequences for older individuals, leading to injuries, loss of confidence, and even a decline in overall health. However, the risk of falls can be significantly reduced with the right precautions.
Tips to prevent falls
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To keep your home safe, remove things you can trip over, like rugs and loose cables. Also, make sure your home is well-lit, especially at night.
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Wear sturdy shoes: choose shoes with good support and non-slip soles. Avoid wearing slippers or walking around in socks.
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Stay active: gentle exercises like walking or stretching can help strengthen your muscles and improve balance, which helps prevent falls.
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Use handrails: Always hold the handrail when going up or down the stairs. If you need help installing one, ask your local authority for support.
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Get regular health check-ups: regular eye tests and medication reviews can help catch issues that might make you more prone to falling, like poor vision or dizziness.
How Delta CONNECT can help
Delta CONNECT combines technology, community-based support, and proactive care to reduce the risk of falls.
It includes:
⚙️ Technology-enabled care: using a lifeline and sensors to monitor individuals’ activities and detect potential fall risks.
📃 Wellbeing assessment: our trained professionals will assess individual needs and develop personalised wellbeing plans.
🚑 Community response service: a 24/7 service that responds to non-injurious falls and provides immediate assistance.
📞 Proactive calls: regular check-ins with individuals to monitor their health and wellbeing.
🫶🏼 Links to community-based pathways: connections to other community resources and support services.
Delta CONNECT has demonstrated significant benefits in preventing falls and improving the lives of individuals. The service has helped to reduce hospital admissions by preventing falls, addressing underlying health issues, and improving quality of life by empowering individuals to live more independently and confidently, providing them with the tools and support they need to prevent falls. Delta CONNECT has also helped to alleviate the strain on our already over-stretched healthcare service by providing timely intervention and support.
The response service aims to respond to calls within 45 minutes for non-medical emergencies, avoiding inappropriate hospital admission and use of ambulances, and ensuring clients who suffer a fall at home are not impacted significantly by lying on the floor for a long length of time.
Research shows that the impact of falling is considerable, with a negative effect on independence and quality of life. Someone left lying on the floor for more than one hour is more likely to suffer serious injuries and be admitted to hospital, and subsequently moved into long-term care.
Being able to attend site within one hour and lift clients off the floor not only provides them with the best outcomes but can also have a significant impact on reducing and, in some cases, stopping the need for ongoing support and care. The consequences for fallers if they suffer a long lie can lead to a cycle of hospital admissions, interventions and other ongoing support. This not only impacts on the health and wellbeing of the individual but has a host of significant associated costs to both health and social care services. Aside from the ambulance, A&E and hospital costs for a client being conveyed and admitted following a fall, patients remaining in hospital for more than seven days become deconditioned causing a social care requirement on discharge. Experience from our partners shows that hospitalisation and long lengths of stay contribute to 45% more formal care requirements than if the frail individual had remained in the community.
Delta CONNECT is here 24/7, 365 days of the year to provide you and your loved ones with peace of mind, providing individuals with the tools and support they need to stay safe and independent.