NICE report reveals that falls remain the leading cause of injury among older people
Recent guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that falls remain a leading cause of injury among older adults in the UK, with home hazard assessments significantly reducing risks.
The NICE guidelines published April 2025 recommend that people who have fallen in the previous year should receive appropriate assessment and intervention.
Home hazard assessments delivered by occupational therapists have been shown particularly effective in preventing falls, according to the NICE research. Their evidence confirms that monitoring changes in the home environment can provide early warning of declining mobility.
Tristan Hulbert, Managing Director at Vivid Care, says that having an honest conversation with vulnerable or elderly customers about safety is vital once these signs are spotted.
“The goal isn’t to take away independence but to find the right support that allows your loved one to remain safe while maintaining dignity.” Tristan commented.
The expert also suggested that families should consider accompanying relatives to GP appointments to discuss mobility concerns, as healthcare professionals can refer for comprehensive falls assessments when needed.
The committee made the recommendation due to the evidence related to assessment tools that identify people at risk of falls in hospital, residential care, or community settings being very low quality and not reaching an acceptable threshold of sensitivity or specificity. They were also found to be impractical to use in some settings.
NICE guidance emphasises that early intervention is crucial, with its findings showing that identifying fall risks before a serious incident occurs leads to better outcomes and can help people maintain independence for longer.
More than half a million homes in England pose a significant falls risk to their older occupants and are in urgent need of repair or modification, analysis from the Centre for Ageing Better released in time for Falls Awareness Week reveals.
