- At Galanos, we usually have 12–14 falls every month on average. In October, when the cycling championship RWS take place, we have zero. Not a single fall among the 101 residents who live here, says manager at the care home Galanos House in the UK, Jo-Anne Wilson.
During Road Worlds for Seniors, many more residents take part in cycling with the Motiview library - therefore, there is a greater impact on the fall statistics for the month of October at Galanos House.
- It is also the frequent cycling during the RWS that explains the dramatic reduction. We see this every single year during the competition, Wilson explains.
Increased activity - fewer falls
When a care-home resident falls, it often triggers the need for additional resources and
support around the patient. If the fall results in, for example, a hip fracture, the consequences become even more serious - both for the resident and for the care services involved.
The costs associated with a hip fracture are substantial. In the UK, the costs related to the hospital stay alone are estimated at around £15,000. In addition, there are costs related to rehabilitation and further care-home services.