The latest guidance from NICE

“A Falls and Home Hazard assessment providing advice and input with the aim to address and change potential barriers that may occur arounds fall, reduced confidence with the fear of falls or further falls and home safety.”

NICE guideline -Published: 29 April 2025 - NICE - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence -Fall Assessment and Prevention

There has recently been an update in the NICE Guidelines with regards to Fall and Falls prevention in older people (over 65). There is a key element to this in the important role that therapists play in the aim to reduce the risk and incidence of falls, and the associated distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence, loss of independence and mortality.

The Home assessment has been stressed as an essential part of the assessment completed by an Occupational Therapists.  Bristol Home Therapists has been completing routinely within the Initial assessment. Our initial assessment meets this guideline by completing the fall risk assessment highlighting issues that can increase the risk of a fall.

NICE guidelines recommend that all individuals who have fallen in the last year and meet the criteria within the Comprehensive Falls assessment have a home hazard assessment. Intervention and recommendations should be carried out by an occupational therapist.

Considerations:

• That a person's risk of having a fall depends on their individual risk.

• That some falls are preventable.

• How interventions to prevent falls can help, and how to stay motivated.

• What to do if they have a fall, including how to get up, and when and how to seek help

Recommend:

1.      Falls prevention exercise to be provided following the assessment. 

2.      Supervised exercise programme to be progressive and tailored to the person specific needs, abilities and goals.

3.      Focus on functional components such as balance, coordination, strength and power.

4.      To encourage behaviour change in relation to physical activity and sedentary habits.