Falls in older people often results in reduced mobility, fractures, fear of falling, loss of independence and isolation. The Wolverhampton Falls Prevention Service is a multidisciplinary team offering tailored assessment, treatment and advice on how to reduce the risks of falling and enable older people how to cope after a fall. They promote independence and improvement in physical and psychological functioning.
The service also provides training for health professionals, social workers and volunteers working with older people in the community, and carers working in residential and nursing homes, to develop and maintain basic professional competence in falls assessment and prevention.
How to access the service
Anybody can be referred who meets the criteria below. They also accept self-referrals.
Details of the referral criteria / process
The Falls Screening Tool will identify those who are at risk of falling and indicate what action should be taken. The Falls Screening Tool can be used on anybody who meets these criteria:
- 60 years or older
- Living in the Wolverhampton borough
- Not wheelchair or bed bound
- NOTE: Where a person is living in a residential or nursing home, information/training will be offered to the care provider.
Locations where the service is provided
The service covers the whole Wolverhampton borough.
Any Other Information
- The ‘Balanced for Life’ programme is a series of information and health education on reducing the risks of falling. This programme is open to anybody who is referred to the service.
- Weekly exercise classes are provided to improve strength, balance and endurance.
