Latham Lodge involved in national research into falls prevention
Latham Lodge is currently taking part in a three-year research study with The University of Nottingham, NHS Solent NHS Trust and Falls in Care Homes (FinCH) into helping elderly people stop falling over.
Sharon Simpson and Jo Taylor pictured from NHS Solent Research Team are working with colleagues at Latham Lodge with 24 of the 36 residents living at the home signed up to take part in the study, which is a brilliant level of uptake. The pair have been asking questions and collecting information from our residents and colleagues at Latham Lodge.
The care home is one of 66 homes nationwide taking part in the study which will involve 1308 residents. The research is being organised by the University of Nottingham, in conjunction with Norwich Clinical Trials Unit and is being funded by the National Institute for Health Research.
Falls lead to broken limbs, bruises and people generally feeling afraid. Sadly falls do happen in care homes as well as among elderly people living in their own homes and the aim of the research is to try and understand why and how they happen.
Latham Lodge Home manager Sylvia Morse-Carter explained;
“I think we were approached by the research team as we had previously been involved in some SMART research in 2016 and we are delighted to be taking part in any research that can help improve the quality of life for our residents.
This latest study began in October. The research nurses are currently doing the consent documentation and when they have everything in place the data will go off to Norwich and a decision will be made as to whether we will receive the specialist training or not. It is a randomised control study with some of the homes taking part carrying on as normal and others using a falls prevention tool and training.”
“This will dictate the next step – so would we be chosen to use the FinCH tool. If we get randomised then the Solent Trust will allocate a Falls Lead to deliver the GTach (guide to action in care homes) training and will then liaise with our own Falls Lead,” added Sylvia.
The proposed study will compare falls rates in homes where staff are trained to use the new treatment and if chosen to take part all carers at Latham Lodge will be given special training.
Latham Lodge care home in Purbrook, Portsmouth has been sensitively converted to provide the highest standards of nursing care for up to 37 elderly people in an environment that retains a real sense of home.If you would like find out more about life at Latham Lodge please contact us on 0808 223 5519 or email [email protected].