Preventing Falls in Care Homes: How Technology and Insurance Work Together

Falls are a leading cause of injury in care homes, often resulting in serious consequences for residents and significant costs for care providers. Beyond the immediate impact on health and wellbeing, falls can affect regulatory compliance and increase insurance risks.

We recognise the importance of using innovative solutions to prevent falls and mitigate their impact. By integrating technology with proactive risk management, care homes can enhance resident safety while meeting compliance standards and reducing insurance liabilities.

The Impact of Falls in Care Homes

Falls can result in:

• Injuries and hospitalisations: From minor bruises to life-altering fractures or head injuries.
• Increased care needs: Often leading to higher operational costs.
• Regulatory challenges: A pattern of falls can raise questions about care quality during inspections.
• Insurance claims: Both from residents or families and due to associated property damage or legal action.

How Technology Helps Reduce Fall Risks

Modern technology offers care homes powerful tools to prevent falls and improve resident safety:

1. Wearable Devices

Smart wearables can monitor residents’ activity and detect unusual movements, such as a fall. Some devices alert staff immediately, enabling a rapid response that can minimise harm.

2. Pressure Sensor Mats

These mats, placed beside beds or in high-risk areas, detect movement and alert carers if a resident attempts to stand unaided, preventing falls before they happen.

3. Automated Lighting

Poor lighting is a common cause of falls. Motion-activated lighting systems can illuminate pathways as residents move, reducing the risk of trips and falls.

4. Remote Monitoring Systems

AI-powered cameras and monitoring tools can track resident movements in real time, identifying patterns that indicate an increased risk of falls and notifying staff to intervene early.

5. Virtual Reality Training

For staff, virtual reality (VR) technology can simulate real-life scenarios, improving their ability to prevent and respond to falls effectively.

Compliance and Risk Management

Falls not only affect resident safety but also compliance with regulatory standards. By adopting fall-prevention technologies, care homes can:

• Demonstrate a proactive approach to risk management during inspections by bodies like the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
• Improve care quality ratings by reducing the incidence of falls and showing a commitment to resident wellbeing.
• Document preventive measures to support compliance audits and legal inquiries.

Insurance and Falls: Mitigation Matters

Insurance providers closely examine fall risks when assessing premiums for care homes. Taking steps to prevent falls can help:

• Lower liability claims: Minimising the likelihood of resident injuries reduces the risk of legal action or compensation claims on your care home insurance.
• Influence premiums: Demonstrating proactive measures, such as the use of fall-prevention technologies, can position your care home as a lower-risk operation.
• Enhance insurer confidence: Comprehensive documentation of risk mitigation strategies reassures insurers of your commitment to safety.

How we Support Care Homes

We work with care homes to develop comprehensive strategies for managing fall risks. From implementing the latest technologies to ensuring your insurance cover reflects your proactive efforts, we help you safeguard residents and protect your business.

Ready to enhance your fall-prevention strategy? Contact our risk management team today on 01273 424904 to learn how technology, compliance, and insurance can work together to reduce risks and improve care.

Together, we can create safer environments for your residents and staff.