- At Galanos, we usually have 12–14 falls every month on average. In October, when the cycling championships take place, we have zero. Not a single fall among the 101 residents who live here, says manager Jo-Anne Wilson.
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.
Hip fractures come with significant costs
Preventing falls in care homes is a key area of focus. For Galanos House, cycling has delivered remarkable results.
- It is the frequent cycling during the RWS that explains the dramatic reduction. We see this every single year during the competition, Wilson explains.
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.
Increased activity - fewer falls
Galanos House in England has been a committed participant in Road Worlds for Seniors for many years. As with many other participants, an increase in the number of cyclists is reported when the championship takes place.
- For us, the most important aspect of RWS is still to raise awareness of physical activity among older adults and to increase the number of people who become physically active. The goal, of course, is for the activity to continue even after the competition is over, says Jan Inge Ebbesvik, President of Road Worlds for Seniors.