We know prevention works - so why are families still waiting for a crisis?

We recently commissioned research to better understand how families across the UK approach support for older relatives. What we found was a striking gap between what people know and how they actually behave. Despite understanding the risks of delay, almost half of Brits (45%) still wait for a crisis before seeking support.

Learn more about our research.

Falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people, costing the NHS more than £2 billion every year. Around one in three people over 65 experiences a fall each year, with hundreds of thousands of hospital admissions recorded annually in England. And yet, action often comes too late. Nearly half of families only seek support after a fall or when everyday struggles become unavoidable, while just 17% act before any signs of difficulty appear.

Acting earlier not only protects older people from avoidable injury but could ease pressure on already stretched NHS services. Research shows that every £1 invested in preventative social care delivers £3.17 in savings, with the potential to reduce costs by up to £11.1 billion across the UK if scaled nationwide.

The gap between knowing and doing

Our research highlights a real contradiction. While 40% of people say delaying support increases the risk of falls, and 38% believe it worsens medical conditions, nearly 46% admit they have never accessed any form of support for older relatives at all.

Our CEO, Paul Statham, put it this way: "We all know prevention pays for families and for the NHS. But our research shows the public still defaults to crisis. People understand the risks of waiting, yet too often support only arrives after a fall or serious health issue. Prevention is about helping people stay independent and confident in their own homes for longer. Sentai exists to support that shift, moving from reactive support to proactively planning and preparing for the future”

Behind that delay are growing concerns among families supporting loved ones who live alone. Almost half of those we surveyed say falls are their biggest worry, closely followed by loneliness, which concerns 41% of respondents.

A timely moment for change

Our findings come at a significant moment. The UK government recently announced an additional £50 million boost to the Disabled Facilities Grant, enabling councils to fund home adaptations such as stairlifts, accessible bathrooms and safety improvements. It is a meaningful step towards helping older and disabled people remain safely at home while reducing pressure on hospitals and social care services.

Watch our video - Emily and Jean's story

Yet, funding alone cannot close the gap between awareness and action. What we see time and again is that families already know earlier support is better. The harder part is making the shift before a crisis forces everyone's hand. That is exactly what Sentai is here to help with.

If you would like to find out how Sentai supports older adults to stay independent, connected and well at home, visit our how it works page.