Affiliation:
1. Consultant Nurse, London Northwest HealthCare Hospital NHS Trust and BJHCA Board Member
Abstract
Falls occur because of factors relating to the individual, the environment and the care and support available. As people age, the risk of falls increases. That risk is further increased when a person is unwell and when the person moves to a new environment. The environment where the older person is cared for can reduce or increase the risk of falls and injury. This article, the fifth in a series, explains how staff can minimise the risk of falls in hospitals, care homes and also the person's own home. This article aims to enable readers to understand the environmental risks in different care settings and how age-related changes can affect risk. It also aims to ensure that readers are aware of how environmental modifications can reduce risk.