Prevention is definitely the best cure, especially when it comes to falls. If you or one of your loved ones has begun to lose their mobility, had a small fall and now you have noticed they do not walk as much or fallen too many times to the point they ended up in hospital with a fracture, it may be time for them to have an assessment by one of our physiotherapists.
Our physio can instil the confidence back into your body so that you improve your balance, feel stronger on your feet, determine if you require a walking stick or other aid so that your risk of falling is reduced.
Once the assessment is complete our physiotherapist will run you through some exercises you can complete on your own, with your family or support worker to strengthen the right muscles and improve your balance.
We can also determine if you require a falls alarm bracelet and can refer you to the right falls bracelet/watch alarm if required. Sometimes we understand that your balance can only improve so much and although you may fall less, if you are still at risk of falling and on your own at home, these devices can contact your family, friends or emergency ambulance services once a fall happens.
Our falls prevention physiotherapists can also teach you a certain way of how to get yourself up off the floor and standing up or sitting on a chair shall you fall.
The Australian Institute of health and Welfare reported that in 2019-2020 falls resulted in 224,000 hospitalisations, 876 per 100,000 and 5,300 deaths,20.9 per 100,000. They also reported that falls are Australia’s largest contributor to hospitalised injuries and a leading cause of injury deaths. In 2019–20, 42% of hospitalised injuries and 40% of injury deaths were due to falls.
If you, a loved one, friend or client is losing their confidence in their mobility, may need a falls risk assessment or help with balance please contact us to arrange an assessment by our team.