Evidence-based interventions to reduce falls in people aged 65 and over

Collaboration: RCN Older People's Forum and RCN Trauma and Orthopaedic Nursing Forum

The risk of falls increases for people aged 65 years and over, this session will cover how to assess risk of falls, and to support people at risk.

Although different settings will have varying guidelines, the risk of falls for older people is the same in all nations and areas. The session will be evidence-based and include discussion around falls guidelines from the World Health Organization and the British Geriatric Society, with recommendations from quality-assured research in the subject.

Topics covered will include:

• what is a fall?
• who is at risk of falls – conditions and medications
• how to assess who is at risk of falls, and how to reduce the risk of falls
• how health care professionals can support individuals at risk of falls.

Aimed at all health care professionals and nursing students from any setting, including the independent sector, the session will be of particular benefit to any health care provider working with older adults in a care home, acute hospital or rehabilitation setting.