Falls Pathway benefits nursing and residential care home residents

A new Wellness Pathway for people living in nursing and residential care homes has shown significant benefits in the area of resident falls.

Tested as part of the regional Enhancing Clinical Care Framework (ECCF) project, the Pathway has provided the tools and resources to enable care home staff to support residents who are at high risk of falls, managing their care within homes.

Rathmena House in Ballyclare is one of a number of care homes in Northern Ireland which has tested the Pathway.  This work is being led by the Department of Health and is supported by the Northern Trust’s Reach Team (Responsive Education, Support and Anticipatory Care to Care Homes), in collaboration with staff within the home.

After commencement of the Falls Pathway, Rathmena House has had no resident falls in the months of July and August 2022.  There has been an increase in staff awareness and a more holistic approach to the care of residents with the potential to fall.  The Pathway has also resulted in timely assessment and intervention by General Practitioners, multidisciplinary team and Allied Health Professionals and better rehabilitation opportunities for residents.  In addition, Reminiscence Interactive Therapy and Activities are provided to help provide therapeutic engagement and meaningful activity for residents.

The Testing phase is now complete however due to the benefits of the Falls Pathway outcomes the care home continues to use the Falls Pathway tools and resources.

Speaking about its success, Elizabeth Graham, Assistant Director of Nursing with the Northern Trust said:

“The Falls Pathway is just one of many resources currently being tested across a range of care home settings in NI as part of the regional Department of Health plan to coproduce a new framework for enhancing clinical care for residents in care homes, working in partnership with the Independent Sector.

“The aim of the Enhancing Clinical Care Framework (ECCF) project is to ensure that people who live in care homes are supported to lead the best life possible and that their right to access equitable healthcare provision is upheld.”

22nd September 2022