If you’ve fallen, or are at risk of falling, your GP or other health or social care professional may offer you a ‘home and person’ falls risk screen to identify ways to reduce your risk of further falls, and help you to continue to carry out activities that are important to you.
In some situations your GP might refer you directly to a falls clinic (or other hospital clinic) for a medical assessment. This would usually be because you’ve:
The purpose of a falls risk screen is to:
As falls are the leading cause of broken bones in older people, the screen should also include a chat about your bone health. Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens the bones, making them more likely to break. Many people are unaware that they may have osteoporosis so it’s helpful to discuss this too.
Screening will start with questions about when, where and how you fell and the impact the fall has had on you.
You’ll then be asked about a range of risk factors that may have contributed to your fall, including:
You’ll also be asked about your bone health and any symptoms you might have experienced, including:
An action plan will then be agreed with you based on the outcomes of the screen. Your personalised plan may include:
The plan should be designed to suit your individual needs and way of life. Follow up appointments may also be necessary to find out how you’re getting on.
Visit the Telecare Self-Check online tool to find the right support for you in your area. This easy to use online tool allows you to find helpful information on telecare services that could help you live independently at home for longer.
Last updated:
14 March 2023