In 2021, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) implemented the ‘Taste the difference challenge’, an initiative whereby hospital patients were offered decaffeinated hot drinks as the default option in an attempt to reduce falls relating to toileting. Across the three-month trial, there was a 30% reduction in falls relating to toileting among inpatients after three months. 

Care England and Stow Healthcare tested the 'Taste the difference challenge' in a care home setting after noting its success. Due to increased fall risks among care home residents, especially those who are older and less mobile, it was speculated that the initiative could lower toileting-related falls in this group also. 

Between June - November 2023, Stow Healthcare implemented a decaffeination trial across eight of their residential care homes. 89% of Stow Healthcare’s approximately 350 residents choose to be part of the trial from the outset (June 2023), drinking solely or predominantly decaffeinated drinks, rising to 92% by November 2023. Data relating to all falls, and specifically falls that were most likely to be associated with going to the toilet, were collated each month.

Following the implementation of decaffeinated hot drinks as the default option, toileting-related falls decreased by 34.72%. Toileting-related falls as a proportion of total falls fell by 29.21% over the trial period. 

Reproducing these results across the sector could save the NHS £85 million annually by preventing falls and hospital admissions related to fragility fractures in social care. This could have a significant positive impact on the lives of many individuals.

Care England has put together a dedicated page for their ‘Switching to decaf’ initiative which includes a ‘how to’ guide for care providers, which can be accessed here.