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Falls Prevention Strategies

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Falls Prevention Strategies

A local community centre is reviewing how to prevent falls while helping people stay active and independent. Read the scenarios and use practical, respectful strategies. If someone may be seriously injured after a fall, do not move them; get help from an adult or call 000 in an emergency.

Spot risks and reduce them

Think about environmental hazards, safe movement and independence.

1.A community centre’s entryway has a curled mat, a wet patch after rain and a box partly blocking the walkway. Which action best reduces the immediate risk while keeping the route accessible?

Tell visitors to walk around the hazards.
Ask people to avoid the centre until further notice.
Arrange for the wet patch to be dried, the mat secured or removed, and the box cleared; warn people while this is done.
Put a chair beside the hazards so people can rest.

2.A resident says they feel unsteady on the stairs but wants to keep visiting friends upstairs. Give two practical changes or supports that could help them manage the stairs more safely without stopping them from being active.

3.Which statement about falls prevention is most accurate?

Avoiding all exercise is the best way to prevent falls.
Suitable strength and balance activity can support mobility; activities should match a person’s needs and ability.
A person who uses a walking aid should stop walking outdoors.
Falls only happen to older adults.

4.A volunteer finds that a handrail is loose. What is the safest response?

Try to repair it without telling anyone.
Report it promptly, keep people away from the hazard if possible, and arrange a qualified repair.
Put a sign on it and leave it loose indefinitely.
Ask visitors to hold the wall instead.

Respond to a fall

Use the scenario to practise calm, safe decision-making.

5.At a community centre, Pat slips in the bathroom and says their hip hurts. Pat is awake but cannot stand. What should you do first?

Pull Pat up quickly so the floor can be cleaned.
Keep Pat still and comfortable, check for immediate danger, get a responsible adult or staff member, and call 000 if the injury appears serious or urgent.
Leave Pat alone while you find a chair.
Ask Pat to walk a few steps to check whether the hip is injured.

6.Name three useful details staff should record after a fall, following their organisation’s reporting procedure.

7.Why can recording and reviewing fall incidents help prevent future falls?

Plan for safer participation

Apply the ideas to different people and settings.

8.Kai, 16, often loses balance during netball training, especially when tired. Suggest two safe steps Kai and the coach could take to reduce risk while supporting Kai’s participation.

9.Complete the safety plan: clear trip hazards, improve lighting, use suitable footwear, and arrange regular and balance activities suited to the person.

10.True or false: If a person who has fallen is conscious, it is always safe to help them stand straight away.

TrueFalse

11.Choose one place you use, such as a home entrance, sports area or footpath. Describe one fall hazard you might check for, one change that could reduce risk, and how you would raise the issue if you could not fix it safely yourself.