Fall Prevention And Balance Training
There are many ways a physiotherapist or another health professional can assist with Fall Prevention Strategies. The best approach involves using multiple strategies such as, health promotion, exercise prescription, environmental modification clinical assessment and injury minimisation.
Education is a great starting point. Physios can assisting the elderly to understand how to prevent falls through increasing safety around the home, physical activity, appropriate diet and footwear.
Exercise has been proven that even the very frail and elderly derive measurable benefits from regular exercise. These positive outcomes can be achieved through exercise programs of balance training, walking, aerobic or hydrotherapy and resistance training for maintaining bone density.
Environmental safety in the home requires assessment visits and can result in modifications to the home. Usual hazards include inadequate lighting; dangerous floor surfaces, such as rugs or worn carpets, electrical cords, inappropriate foot wear, general clutter and wet areas
A Clinical Assessment is a simple task undertaken by a physiotherapist. Tools that have been proven to be fair predictors of falls such as Timed Up & Go, Functional Reach Test or Berg Balance Test are included in this. Following a Clinical Assessment, your physio will be able to generate a management plan and exercise program suitable to the individuals needs.
Injury minimisation also involves referral to the individual’s GP for review of prescribed medication and vision as well as referrals to other service providers who can assist with devices such as personal alarms, sensor mats and hip protectors etc.
In the unfortunate instance that a fall does occur, physiotherapy can support the individual in injury management and rehabilitation. Physiotherapists teach people how to get up from the floor safely and/or how to minimise time spent on the floor. Specific strength training may enable individuals to get up from the floor independently. Exercise programmes may reduce fear of falling in the short term, without increasing the risk or frequency of falls.
We welcome a wide range of referrals including:
- NDIS
- EPC
- DVA
- Workcover
- Medicare Funded
- Self-referral and private clients
