Falls Champion Train the Trainer

For elderly people, a fall can lead to much more than a scraped knee or a nasty bruise. A fall can not only cause serious injury but can be traumatic too. With the right training course, the risk of falls can be greatly reduced, and carers can learn how best to act if one does happen. 

The Falls Champion Trainer Course is designed to empower participants with the knowledge and expertise needed to become effective trainers in the field of fall prevention and management. The course focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of falls risk assessment, intervention strategies, and educational methods. Participants will learn how to lead and facilitate training sessions, equipping them to educate healthcare professionals and caregivers in preventing and addressing fall-related incidents.

What is a Falls Champion?

Falls Champions are healthcare professionals who can reduce the risk of falls and provide immediate support in the event of a fall.

Many healthcare institutions have implemented inhouse "Falls Champions" via a train the trainer program delivered by Guardian Angels to enhance their knowledge and skills.

A Falls champion plays a pivotal role in promoting elderly fall prevention strategies within healthcare organisations. They are responsible for conducting risk assessments, implementing interventions, educating staff, and monitoring outcomes to reduce the occurrence of falls among patients. 

Why is Fall Prevention Important?

The primary objective of our "Falls Champion train-the-trainer" program is to equip Falls

Champions with fall prevention knowledge so they can cascade this to the local workforce to reduce falls within healthcare. 

As mentioned earlier, falls do more than just cause physical harm. If an older person has a nasty fall, their confidence will be affected even when they’ve recovered. It is the responsibility of carers and nurses to help people live life to the fullest; preventing falls can help with this. 

Fall Prevention Methods

There are many ways to reduce the chance of a fall. All of these are covered in detail in our Guardian Angels training course, as well as what to do in the event of a fall. Once certified, a Falls Champion can lay out important guidelines for the rest of the team to educate and support them in their caregiving, 

There are also fall prevention exercises that can help the elderly reduce the impact of a fall. Giving them information and techniques can help reduce the feeling of helplessness some elderly people struggle with and help them retain their independence. 

Course Content

Here are the main topics covered in our Falls Champion course: 

• Positive risk taking and human rights
• Internal and external fall factors 
• Falls risk assessment tools and proactive strategies to manage any identified risk
• Care and support plans
• Methods of dealing with falling and retrieving uninjured clients will be taught and practised

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

1. Master Falls Prevention Fundamentals:
   • Define falls prevention and its significance in healthcare settings.
   • Explain the physiological and psychological factors contributing to falls among different populations.
2. Understand Falls Risk Assessment:
   • Familiarize with various assessment tools and methods used to identify individuals at risk of falling.
   • Demonstrate proficiency in conducting comprehensive falls risk assessments for diverse individuals.
3. Learn Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies:
   • Explore a range of evidence-based interventions to reduce falls risk, including exercise programs, environmental modifications, and medication reviews.
   • Understand the importance of tailoring interventions to individual needs and circumstances.
4. Develop Educational Content:
   • Create educational materials and resources related to falls prevention and management.
   • Craft engaging presentations that effectively convey key concepts, statistics, and practical strategies.
5. Master Training Facilitation Skills:
   • Develop facilitation skills to confidently lead training sessions and workshops on falls prevention.
   • Apply adult learning principles to engage participants, encourage active participation, and address questions effectively.
6. Customize Training for Target Audiences:
   • Adapt training content and delivery methods to suit diverse audiences, including healthcare professionals, caregivers, and patients.
   • Tailor messages to resonate with various levels of knowledge and experience.
7. Communicate Effective Falls Prevention Messages:
   • Develop clear and concise messaging around falls prevention, emphasizing its importance and benefits.
   • Enhance communication skills to convey information persuasively and inspire action.
8. Address Cultural and Contextual Factors:
   • Recognize cultural, social, and contextual factors that can impact falls risk and prevention strategies.
   • Develop strategies for culturally sensitive training that resonate with diverse communities.
9. Monitor Progress and Evaluate Outcomes:
   • Establish methods for tracking participants' understanding and application of falls prevention techniques.
   • Design evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness of training sessions and identify areas for improvement.
10. Foster Collaboration and Leadership:
    • Promote collaboration among healthcare teams, caregivers, and community partners to create a unified approach to falls prevention.
    • Cultivate leadership skills to guide and motivate others in implementing falls prevention initiatives.
11. Stay Updated on Latest Research and Best Practices:
    • Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to professional development by staying informed about emerging research, guidelines, and best practices in falls prevention.
    • Incorporate new insights into training content and delivery.

This course aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to become effective Falls Champion Trainers, empowering them to lead educational efforts, promote falls prevention, and make a positive impact on the safety and well-being of individuals across various healthcare and caregiving settings.

After completion of this course, the participants will achieve a certificate to validate their knowledge which would last for 3 years. Once delegates have obtained the certificate, they can train fall prevention and management in-house, leading to fewer falls and a confident team. 

A Falls Reduction course will be provided to the purchasing organisation for use in-house.