Cross Keys Homes supports falls training

May 21, 2010

PETERBOROUGH’S largest landlord is supporting community based programmes which help to prevent falls among the elderly.

Cross Keys Homes has recognised that when people are given strength and balance training combined with assessments of potential hazards and home adaptations, the number of falls in the home reduces dramatically.

Research has found that 30 to 50 per cent of any fall cases result in ambulances attending but that no admittance to hospital is needed. To ensure help is there, should people need it, Cross Keys Homes offers anyone access to Lifeline, which is a personal alarm service to further enhance security and safety in the home. This can help to prevent the emergency services being contacted in non emergency cases.

Cross Keys Homes’ Lifeline customer Mrs Giles (92), from March, recently suffered a fall whilst at home. She said: “I wish to thank Cross Keys Homes’ Lifeline for literally saving my life after falling.

I pressed my pendant when I fell and within seconds a kind voice on my loudspeaker was offering me reassurance and called the emergency services for me. I cannot praise lifeline enough and would recommend it to anyone. My Lifeline helps me to feel secure in my home and I know if anything does happen it will be there for me.”

Cross Keys Homes also provides sheltered schemes across the city that promote independent living. Sheltered schemes provide support and promote those things needed to help maintain a healthy and active life.

Cross Keys Homes’ director of operations, Claire Higgins, said: “Such services can go a long way to help ease the funding pressures experienced by the NHS. Acute care in hospital, for example if someone falls and breaks their hip, is very expensive and residential care homes cost individuals and the council large amounts of money.

“Preventative and lower level support services such as those we can offer are a perfect way of reducing the stresses on the health and social care services. These services enable customers to remain independent and safe in their own homes, which is undoubtedly where the vast majority of people want to stay for as long as they can.”

For more information on Lifeline call: 01733 396439 or visit: www.crosskeyshomes.co.uk

ENDS

Press contact: Hayley Roan, sales and marketing manager, Cross Keys Homes, 01733 396415.