Background
Between 47-90% of people with dementia (PWD) fall at least once a year (almost ten times more often than controls). After a fall, PWD are less likely to recover well, more likely to be hospitalised, are hospitalised for longer and are more likely to require increased care. We currently know little about the care received by these patients. There is evidence to suggest that staff may perceive PWD as less capable of rehabilitation and staff in community services providing follow-up care may not have specific training in the care of PWD. A successful intervention may help to maximise physical recovery which may in turn help PWD to maintain their independence.
The overall aim of this study is to assess through a series of work packages (WPs) whether it is possible to design a complex intervention to improve the outcome of fall-related injuries in people with dementia living in their own homes.
Further details about the study, including the plain English summary and the scientific summary are available on the NIHR webiste: http://www.nets.nihr.ac.uk/projects/hta/137802