The Hidden Power of Sleep in Reducing Falls Risk in Care Homes
Sleep is one of the most powerful yet overlooked aspects of preventative care in residential settings. A restful night doesn’t just help residents feel better the next day—it has measurable, long-term impacts on health, well-being, and even risk of injury. At Ally Cares, we’re seeing first-hand how improved sleep is transforming care home environments and playing a vital role in reducing falls.
Why sleep matters more than you think
Good sleep is essential for physical and cognitive health. Yet in many care homes, night-time routines can inadvertently disrupt sleep, leading to disorientation, fatigue, and a higher risk of falls. Frequent night checks—designed to ensure safety—can actually have the opposite effect, waking residents and impacting their mood, balance, and awareness the following day.
In residential care homes, falls are one of the most common and serious risks faced by older adults. They can result in hospitalisation, injury, long-term loss of independence—and in some cases, trigger a steep decline in overall health. While many fall prevention strategies focus on mobility aids, medication reviews, and physical assessments, one of the most effective yet often overlooked factors is sleep.
Why sleep is critical for older adults
As we age, our sleep patterns naturally change. Older adults often experience lighter, more fragmented sleep and may wake more frequently during the night.
Poor sleep isn’t just tiring—it affects cognitive function, mood, coordination, and balance. A resident who has been frequently disturbed during the night may feel disoriented or groggy the next morning, significantly increasing the chance of a fall, particularly during early-morning movements such as getting out of bed or walking to the bathroom.
Falls remain one of the most serious risks to older people in residential care. They are a leading cause of injury-related hospital admissions and often mark the beginning of a decline in independence and well-being. While traditional fall prevention strategies tend to focus on mobility, one of the most effective interventions is often overlooked: improving sleep.
Good quality, undisturbed sleep supports cognitive clarity, emotional regulation, and physical balance—all key factors in reducing falls. It is during sleep that the body heals and the brain restores its ability to coordinate movement and make decisions. Yet, in many care settings, sleep is inadvertently disrupted by routines designed to keep residents safe, such as hourly night checks.
Recent examples from care homes using Ally’s resident monitoring system demonstrates how rethinking night-time care can reduce fall risk while enhancing resident well-being.
Case Study example: Better sleep, fewer falls at Kingsbury Court
At Kingsbury Court, part of the Maria Mallaband Care Group, the team used resident monitoring insights to make meaningful changes to night-time care routines. By analysing rest patterns, the team discovered which residents were experiencing fragmented sleep or unnecessary wake-ups—and adapted their approach accordingly.
According to Regional Director Jay Trondillo, falls were reduced and infections declined. Residents also showed higher levels of daytime engagement. This impact extended to the commercial side too. As Jay shared,
“We’ve seen improved retention and fewer hospital admissions, and the system has helped us improve occupancy by supporting residents to stay longer.”
Case study example: Individual sleep strategies at Azalea Court
At Azalea Court, Julie Burton and her team used acoustic monitoring to develop personalised sleep pathways for residents. In one example, a resident with Huntington’s Disease experienced bursts of intense night-time movement and agitation. By studying these patterns, staff linked the disruptions to unfulfilled nutritional needs during the day.
A revised nutrition plan—designed in collaboration with a dietitian and occupational therapist—resulted in better sleep, reduced agitation, and a significant decrease in night-time interactions. In turn, this helped prevent falls and improved the resident’s weight and mood.
“We learned to follow the pattern, not the symptoms,” said Julie. “By the time a fall happens, it’s often too late. Spotting changes in sleep gave us the opportunity to act early.”
From reactive to proactive care
According to NHS Digital research across care homes using Ally’s resident monitoring technology, care homes reported:
- A 63% reduction in unwitnessed falls
- A 56% reduction in hospital admissions
- And residents gaining over 2 million extra hours of uninterrupted sleep in 2024
The biggest shift in homes like Kingsbury Court and Azalea Court has been cultural. Night-time is no longer treated as downtime, but as a critical window for prevention. Staff now spend less time on routine hourly checks and more time focusing on residents who need support, based on real-time sleep data and trends.
Julie Burton explains:
“Gone are the endless walk-arounds. Our team feels empowered. They’re working smarter, not harder, and residents are sleeping better—and safer.”
Sleep: A clinical priority for safer homes
It’s time to place sleep alongside mobility, nutrition, and medication as a key pillar of falls prevention. The evidence is clear: better sleep leads to improved alertness, balance, and overall stability during the day. When residents sleep better, they fall less, recover faster, and enjoy more independence.
For care homes, this not only reduces risk but also helps retain residents for longer, improves satisfaction among families, and lightens the load on the wider health system.
The future of fall prevention starts at night—by helping residents sleep more soundly.
For more information on how Ally Cares can help transform residents’ lives with our AI resident monitoring technology, get in touch with our team today.