Available support includes...
Fitting Equipment in the Home
Works include: Stair/grab rails, Lighting improvements, securing loose carpets, removing trailing electrical cables and provision/installation of equipment that assists those at risk of falling (e.g. bath boards, bath steps).Hospital Discharge
We will assess the home to prevent further accidents by adjusting, removing and replacing furniture, securing carpets with metal strips moving electrical sockets to avoid trips, and installing falls prevention equipment.Take a look at this video outlining the risk factors of falls in the home.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who qualifies for the falls service?
Falls Measures 18 years+ and any housing tenure and meet at least one of the criteria from below.
• There is an immediate risk of a fall which will necessitate a hospital admission if minor adaptations are not provided; or
• The person has a history of recurrent falls and or admissions to hospital as a result of falls and frailty; or
• The person struggles to access facilities, e.g. the toilet, which impacts on their medical condition and would require a hospital admission; or
• Has a rapidly deteriorating health condition; or has an end-of-life health condition. -
How much will grabrails and banisters cost me?
The falls service is free to anyone aged 18 and over in Leeds.
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How can I reduce the risk of falls in the home?
There are lots of ways that you can be more aware of falls in the home.
Anything that trails, such as a wire or lead, can easily cause trips so it is important to remove these immediately if they are in the way.
A loose rug, particularly at the bottom of the stairs, will cause trips and slips, so be mindful of where these are in the home.
Loose floorboards can be very easy to miss, causing falls and sometimes a lot of injury when not dealt with. It is worth seeing whether you can repair this or getting a handyperson to carry this out safely. You may even be eligible for our free hazard repairs service here.
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What do I do if a fall occurs?
Planning ahead by making sure that the home environment offers comfortable support, such as pillows, cushions and rugs in case a fall occurs is important.
In the event of a fall in the home, take your time to get yourself up to a sitting position. If you are a carer, it is preferable that you encourage the individual to get up themselves. Lifting them or managing this yourself should only be done as a last resort and after assessing that weight relationship, strength and fitness allows for this.
If the fall is unexplained, get in touch with your GP to talk through your concerns.
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Where can I have grab rails fitted?
We visit you at home, listen to what you say and make an assessment, to find out what is needed and the best place to fit rails. These can be fitted anywhere in the home, usually in the bathroom/by the toilet, on the stairs and by internal and external doors.