As care homes’ role in supporting prevention grows under new government health and care policies on frailty and dementia, Ruth French describes how a simple switch to offering decaffeinated drinks can have a big impact.
"Since being on decaf, once I go to sleep, I sleep right through until about 5am ... an undisturbed night has made a huge difference to me" says Bob, who took part in the Decaf Project in his care home. What began as a simple switch from caffeinated to decaffeinated drinks has since been associated with fewer falls, better sleep and improved continence across a growing number of care settings and hospitals too.
As the NHS shifts towards a neighbourhood health model focused on prevention, early intervention and reducing avoidable hospital admissions, care homes have an increasingly important role to play in supporting population health. In July 2025, the 10 Year Health Plan for England noted support to those attending hospital frequently as a priority. This is pertinent in regard to falls incidents amongst the elderly, given that around a third of people aged 65 and over, and around half of people aged 80 and over, fall at least once a year with an estimated cost to the NHS of £4.4bn each year, according to government figures.
In addition to the falls prevention technologies highlighted in that report, which play an increasingly important part in supporting a care home environment that supports independence with less intrusive oversight, there is a low-tech innovation that has been quietly transforming practice within care homes and hospitals across the country.
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