Fall prevention
Fall prevention focuses on preventing falls among older people and vulnerable individuals. This is achieved by identifying and addressing risk factors at an early stage. As the population of The Netherlands continues to age, the number of elderly people is increasing. As a result, the number of people at increased risk of falling is also growing.
Fall prevention for older people
For older people, falls are one of the greatest health risks. Every year, falls result in thousands of hospital admissions, reduced quality of life and extensive use of healthcare services. Fall-related injuries may be physical, such as fractures. However, falling can also lead to a fear of falling again. Consequently, older people often become less physically active, even though regular exercise is essential to remain fit and independent.
Effective fall prevention helps older people live independently at home for longer. Evidence-based interventions focus, for example, on improving balance and mobility. Adapting the home environment with smart sensors or specialised flooring can also reduce fall risk among older people with a higher risk of falling.
In The Netherlands, the Integrated Fall Prevention Approach (Ketenaanpak Valpreventie) is used to identify fall risks at an early stage. This approach is part of the Healthy and Active Living Agreement (GALA) and consists of 4 steps:
- Identifying older people at increased risk of falling through a fall risk test.
- Carrying out a fall risk assessment for older people at high risk.
- Providing appropriate fall prevention interventions.
- Referring participants to ongoing exercise programmes to help maintain outcomes.
What is fall prevention?
ZonMw supports research, innovation and collaboration to further develop, implement and scale up effective approaches for fall prevention.
Fall prevention can be achieved by strengthening health and mobility and by creating a safe living environment. Technology also plays an increasingly important part in fall prevention. Digital applications that support identifying risks, monitoring and prevention help to prevent falls.
Collaboration within the integrated fall prevention approach
Several ZonMw projects have shown that effective fall prevention depends strongly on collaboration between municipalities, healthcare professionals, health insurers and vulnerable seniors. Clear agreements between the parties involved are essential. Through integrated regional approaches, they work together to identify, assess and appropriately support the elderly at increased risk of falling at an early stage.
General practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists also play an important role. They often recognise older people at increased risk of falling at an early stage and are therefore vital for identification and referral. For example, they can refer people to fall prevention services in home care, where district nursing professionals assess the safety of the home environment. This goes hand in hand with occupational therapy, which analyses a person's daily routines and activities. Together, these approaches help identify and address risks in the living environment. By combining knowledge, technology and collaboration, a stronger integrated approach can be developed that reaches and supports more older people.
Technology and innovation in fall prevention
Technology can play an important part in preventing falls. Examples of digital applications include risk identification tools, smart sensors and apps that guide people through exercise programmes.
ZonMw stimulates research that focuses not primarily on the technology itself, but on how these innovations can be successfully embedded in the day-to-day processes of healthcare professionals and municipalities. Alongside digital applications, hybrid care pathways are increasingly popular. These pathways combine face-to-face care with digital support, including digital fall prevention solutions.
What does ZonMw do in the field of fall prevention?
ZonMw provides funding for research, innovation and implementation to further strengthen fall prevention. Particular attention is given to research in health practice. ZonMw funds research into fall prevention and cost-effectiveness, regional collaboration, digital support and the implementation of integrated fall prevention approaches.
Through a range of programmes, ZonMw supports older people in living safely and independently at home for longer, while helping to reduce pressure on healthcare services.
Research on fall prevention is supported through programmes including:
- Nursing and Care programme
- the Prevention Programme 2023-2026
- the Appropriate Care Framework Programme
- Care for Innovation
In addition, dozens of ZonMw projects focus on fall prevention. These projects provide insights into what works, which barriers exist and how successful approaches can be implemented more widely. Would you like to learn more about the results of completed projects or discover which projects are currently underway?