Falls as you age - how physio can help you - Physio Explains!

By Physio, Noelle Gornall.

A fall as defined by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (2009) as an event which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor other lower level. This event may lead to an injury such as peripheral fractures and other soft tissue injuries. An injurious fall can also include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) when there is a confirmed head strike during the incident, as well as hip fractures which often requires surgical intervention.

The population of people who fall over the age of 65 years is increasing and falls-related injury represents the single largest cause of hospital presentations (Clinical Excellence Commission, 2022). More than one in three people aged 65 years and over fall at least once year and is at risk of having recurrent falls. One fall incident precipitates possible future episodes as it poses your falls risk. This then leads to loss of confidence with mobility which can affect your overall lifestyle and wellbeing.

Risk assessment of Falls:

There are various ways of assessing the risk factors for fall. In general, you are at risk for falling when you have had a fall incident in the past, altered cognition, poor vision, bowel and bladder problems, as well as transfers and mobility issues. Certain type of medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedatives, and opioids also increase your risk.

As Physiotherapists, we can provide strength, balance, and gait assessments using the following outcome measures: Timed Up and Go test, 30-second Chair Stand Test, and Berg Balance Scale to help us determine your risk for falling.

Prevention and Management:

Involvement with falls prevention is the most important factor in averting fall incidents to help you stay independent for longer. With the help of our Occupational Therapists, we can also advocate for safe environment by referring them for some home modifications. If you are recovering from an injury due to fall, we can help them manage your pain, improve your range of motion and muscle strength, and help you go back to your previous level of function. While we can aid in the management of their injury, we believe that prevention is the key to avoid these incidents from happening.

Optimum Allied Health have a team of experienced Physiotherapists in Capalaba, Tweed Heads, Ballina, Grafton, Yamba and Coffs Harbour and we are experts in providing fall prevention programs and managing falls related injuries.

Should you have any questions or need to contact us further, please don't hesitate to do so.

E: refer@opthealth.com.au                Ph: 1300 871 249