Falls assessment and prevention

Our physiotherapists can provide a comprehensive multi-factorial falls assessment, detecting any balance or gait deficits and will devise a suitable treatment plan aimed at reducing the risk of falls. We can help identify areas of concern and work with you and your carers on a falls prevention plan. Our physiotherapists use validated outcome measures to help identify falls risk and aid goal setting.

Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury death with the majority of falls occurring in adults over 60. Older people are at highest risk of death or severe injury following a fall (WHO, 2001). 

Physiotherapy intervention can significantly reduce the risk of falls and has been shown to reduce this risk by a third (CSP, 2014).

 Older-people physiotherapists are able to identify areas of difficulty with movement, strength and balance and will provide a tailored exercise programme to suit each individual. It is important that these exercises are supervised and progressed regularly to ensure the best treatment outcomes are achieved.  

Home assessment, mobility, balance and functional training are recommended by the World Health Organisation for falls prevention and management.

We can review walking difficulties and assess for a suitable walking aid if needed. You may have become unsteady on your feet and be at risk of falls. We can assess and advise on suitable equipment or home adaptations to help improve your safety around the home.

We will spend time with you to discuss your concerns and difficulties and following a comprehensive falls assessment we will aim to provide a personalised treatment and exercise programme to suit you.

We can also assess outdoor mobility and work on your walking and confidence outside

How physiotherapy & occupational therapy can help:

• Strengthening muscles. Your physiotherapist will identify areas of weakness and will aim to strengthen the muscles in your legs, core and upper body to help improve your stability and balance. This will help to not only reduce your falls risk but can also improve bone health and your overall general health.

• Improve balance. Both static and dynamic balance exercises are crucial to maintaining stability while standing still and when moving. Balance exercises prescribed by a qualified physiotherapist will be prescribed at the right level and can be progressed when required. This will help to enhance the body’s ability to react and maintain stability in response to different situations.

• Improve coordination. Coordination between body parts is required to maintain balance and helps to prevent falls and injury allowing the body to react quickly to positional changes and movement.

• Environmental assessment. We can provide a comprehensive falls assessment at home, assessing the home for risk of falls and equipment which may benefit safety around the home.

• Reduce fear of falling. Your physiotherapist can help to improve your confidence and reduce your fear of falling by providing education, exercise and support.

• Improve functional ability. We can help improve your ability, safety and confidence in completing everyday activities.