Falls Prevention: How Physiotherapy Can Help You Stay Steady and Independent

Posted on March 31st by Mead Physio Group

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in older Australians. In fact, in 2023–24 they were the leading cause of injury hospitalisations and in 2022–23 the leading cause of injury deaths*. The good news is that most falls are preventable. With the right combination of strength and balance training, along with education, you can significantly reduce your risk and keep doing the things you enjoy.

At Mead Physio Group, falls prevention is a core part of what we do. As part of an older community ourselves, we’ve worked with many older patients and know how important it is to stay safe and independent. In this blog, we explain why falls happen, how physiotherapy helps and the programs we offer to support confidence, safety and independence.

Source: AIHW Falls Report

‍

Why Do Falls Happen?

Falls rarely have just one cause. More often, they happen due to a combination of factors, such as:

• Reduced balance
• Weak leg muscles
• Changes in vision
• Medication side effects
• Home hazards, including steps, loose mats, clutter or poor lighting

Statistics show that around 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 will experience at least one fall each year*. After a fall, many people lose confidence and begin to move less, which can actually increase the risk of falling again.

Source: Falls Prevention Alliance

‍

Why Falls Prevention Matters

Falls prevention is about more than just avoiding injury, it’s about helping individuals maintain their quality of life, confidence and independence.

A fall can lead to:

• Injuries such as fractures or head knocks
• Reduced confidence and fear of movement
• Loss of independence
• Reduced activity levels and strength

‍

How Physiotherapy Helps Prevent Falls

Physiotherapists are trained to identify individual fall risk factors and address them with targeted strategies. At Mead Physio Group, we work closely with our patients to understand their needs and take proactive steps to reduce the risk of falls, helping you stay safe, active and enjoy life to the fullest.

We assess:

• Leg strength
• Balance and coordination
• Walking pattern and mobility
• Functional movements, such as standing from a chair or stepping

From there, we design a personalised plan to improve safety and confidence.

Four Key Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Falling

1. Improve Leg Strength: Strong legs are essential for everyday tasks such as standing up, walking, and navigating steps. Exercises like sit-to-stands, step-ups, and controlled strengthening help you move with confidence and react quickly if you trip.
   ‍
2. Train Your Balance: Balance can be improved at any age. Simple but specific balance exercises retrain your body’s reflexes and coordination, helping you stay upright during everyday challenges.
   ‍
3. Reduce Home Hazards: Small changes can make a big difference. Removing loose mats, improving lighting, clearing walkways, and wearing supportive footwear all help reduce fall risk.
   ‍
4. Keep Health Checks Up to Date: Regular eye tests, medication reviews, and hearing checks can play an important role in falls prevention and overall safety.

‍

Bonus: Join Our Falls Prevention Program!

At Mead Physio Group, we offer a dedicated Falls Prevention Program designed for at risk population requiring specialist training. The program includes:

• Targeted strength training
• Balance retraining
• Education on fall risk factors
• Confidence-building exercises

This program is ideal for people who:

• Feel unsteady on their feet
• Have experienced a fall
• Want to proactively reduce their fall risk

‍

Balance & Agility Class

For those who have mastered basic balance skills and are at a lower risk of falls, this class helps improve agility, reaction time and confidence for everyday movements — from gardening and lifting to getting off the floor and negotiating challenging terrain.

This advanced program also includes:

• Faster, more dynamic movements
• Higher-level balance challenges
• Practicing real-life functional skills
• Supporting an active and independent lifestyle for longer

Need Support with Balance or Falls Prevention?

At Mead Physio Group, our goal is to help you stay active, confident and independent for as long as possible. If you’re concerned about balance, have had a recent fall or would like to reduce your risk, our team is here to help.

Contact us today to book an assessment or learn more about our Falls Prevention and Balance & Agility programs.