Case Study: How Hengoed Park Care Home Improved Falls Management in Care Homes with the Mangar Camel Lifting Cushion

Hengoed Park Care Home participated in the Care Home Project, an initiative endorsed and funded by the Welsh Government and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust to support falls management in care homes and reduce unnecessary ambulance callouts for uninjured residents following a fall. As part of the project, the care home received a Mangar Camel Lifting Cushion from Winncare UK, chosen as the preferred care home lifting equipment for safely recovering residents from the floor. Staff also received training in post-fall protocols, healthcare risk assessment, mobility assessment, and the ISTUMBLE assessment algorithm, enabling them to confidently assess residents before using the lifting cushion for falls. We spoke with Sanela Jahic, Care Home Manager at Hengoed Park Care Home, about how the training and equipment have transformed their approach to falls management.

Has learning health assessment techniques used by paramedics made staff feel more comfortable assessing a fallen resident? "By using the ISTUMBLE algorithm, we feel comfortable enough to assess and lift a fallen resident with ease. The team leaders who attended the training are now actively training other members of staff on how to use the Camel Lifting Cushion. We've found it is much safer for our residents because staff can carry out an assessment themselves, assist the resident appropriately and lift them from the floor safely and promptly." Combining structured assessment with Mangar lifting equipment has enabled staff to make informed decisions following a fall while improving response times and supporting safe patient handling practices.

On our ground floor, the dementia floor. When someone is living with dementia, they have a much higher propensity to fall as the condition affects their mobility and eyesight amongst other things. When a fall has occurred on this floor, we always use the Camel Lifting Cushion to lift them off the floor.

Has learning health assessment techniques used by paramedics made staff feel more comfortable assessing a fallen resident? "By using the ISTUMBLE algorithm, we feel comfortable enough to assess and lift a fallen resident with ease. The team leaders who attended the training are now actively training other members of staff on how to use the Camel Lifting Cushion. We've found it is much safer for our residents because staff can carry out an assessment themselves, assist the resident appropriately and lift them from the floor safely and promptly." Combining structured assessment with Mangar lifting equipment has enabled staff to make informed decisions following a fall while improving response times and supporting safe patient handling practices.

Where have you found the Camel Lifting Cushion most helpful? "On our ground floor, which is our dementia floor. People living with dementia have a much higher risk of falling because the condition can affect mobility, balance and eyesight. Whenever a resident falls on this floor, we always use the Camel Lifting Cushion." For care homes looking at reducing falls in care homes, having access to appropriate fall recovery equipment allows residents to be assisted quickly, comfortably and with dignity while reducing the time spent on the floor.

Would you agree the Camel Lifting Cushion is a better choice than alternative devices such as hoists for someone living with dementia? "Yes, definitely. There is a massive difference between using a hoist and using the Camel. We've experienced situations where residents living with dementia became frightened and confused by the size of a hoist. Around 95% would become distressed, panic and struggle to cooperate with staff. With the Camel Lifting Cushion, it's so much easier. Staff can keep the resident calm by chatting and making light conversation while they're gently lifted. Often they don't even realise how they've been helped back up. It's a much more dignified experience." The Mangar lifting cushions provide a gentle, stable and reassuring method of lifting residents after a fall, making them an effective emergency lifting cushion and fall lifting device for dementia care environments. Creating a Dementia-Friendly Environment Hengoed Park Care Home considers every aspect of resident wellbeing. Alongside investing in specialist patient handling equipment, the home has designed its corridors to resemble traditional streets, helping residents living with dementia feel more comfortable and familiar with their surroundings. The care home supports 125 residents with a team of almost 200 staff members and continues to invest in equipment, training and best practice to support preventing falls in older adults.

Effective falls management in care homes goes beyond having the right equipment. By combining comprehensive staff training, robust assessment processes and trusted Mangar lifting equipment from Winncare, care homes can improve resident outcomes, reduce unnecessary ambulance callouts and provide a safer, more dignified response when a fall occurs. If you're reviewing your care home lifting equipment or looking for solutions that support what to do when an elderly person falls, the Mangar Camel Lifting Cushion offers a proven approach to safe and effective post-fall recovery. The Mangar lifting cushions provide a gentle, stable and reassuring method of lifting residents after a fall, making them an effective emergency lifting cushion and fall lifting device for dementia care environments. Creating a Dementia-Friendly Environment Hengoed Park Care Home considers every aspect of resident wellbeing. Alongside investing in specialist patient handling equipment, the home has designed its corridors to resemble traditional streets, helping residents living with dementia feel more comfortable and familiar with their surroundings. The care home supports 125 residents with a team of almost 200 staff members and continues to invest in equipment, training and best practice to support preventing falls in older adults.