Falls Prevention Exercise Physiology
Falls are the leading cause of injury hospitalisation for older Australians, with one in three people aged 65 and over falling at least once each year. Beyond the physical injury, falls can cause significant loss of confidence, reduced activity, increased dependence, and a lower quality of life.
The good news is that falls are largely preventable. Exercise is the single most effective intervention for reducing falls risk — and exercise physiologists are the allied health professionals best placed to design and deliver evidence-based falls prevention programs.
Exercare provides mobile falls prevention programs across south-east Melbourne, delivered at home, in community settings, at the gym, in the hydrotherapy pool, or via telehealth. We work with older adults, NDIS participants, home care package clients, and Medicare referrals to reduce falls risk and build confidence in everyday movement.
Research shows that progressive balance and strength training can reduce falls by up to 23% in older adults, and up to 39% in high-risk groups. (Source: Cochrane Review, 2019)
What Our Falls Prevention Programs Include
Every falls prevention program starts with a comprehensive falls risk assessment, followed by a tailored exercise program designed to address your specific risk factors. Programs typically include:
- Falls risk assessment — strength, balance, gait, medications, home environment
- Progressive balance and coordination exercises
- Leg strengthening and core stability training
- Gait retraining — improving walking pattern, speed and confidence
- Functional movement training — stairs, getting up from chairs, uneven surfaces
- Reaction time and dual-task training to improve responses to stumbles
- Hydrotherapy — safe balance training in a supported water environment
- Education on falls risk factors and home hazard reduction
- Liaison with GP, care manager and other health professionals
Falls Prevention for Older Adults & NDIS Participants
Older adults at home
Home care package and CHSP clients receiving in-home falls prevention programs. We visit you at home.
NDIS participants
Falls prevention as capacity building for participants with disability who are at elevated risk of falls.
Parkinson's disease
Specialised programs targeting the freezing of gait, postural instability and balance issues common in Parkinson's.
Post-hospitalisation
Reconditioning programs for clients returning home after hospitalisation who have increased falls risk.
How to Fund Falls Prevention Exercise Physiology
- Home care packages (HCP) Levels 1–4 — no out-of-pocket cost if included in care plan
- Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
- NDIS — plan-managed and self-managed (Capacity Building)
- Medicare — with GP referral under Chronic Disease Management plan
- Private health insurance extras
- Self-funded — contact us for transparent pricing
Falls Prevention Programs Across South-East Melbourne
We deliver falls prevention exercise physiology across south-east Melbourne including:
Falls Prevention FAQs
Exercise is the single most evidence-based intervention for falls prevention. Research consistently shows that progressive strength and balance programs reduce falls by 23–39% in older adults. The key is starting early and being consistent with the program.
Common risk factors include a previous fall, muscle weakness, balance problems, taking multiple medications, poor vision, and home hazards. Your exercise physiologist will conduct a comprehensive falls risk assessment at your first appointment.
Most clients notice improvements in confidence and balance within 6–8 weeks of starting a consistent program. Measurable reductions in falls risk typically occur over 12–16 weeks of regular exercise.
Yes. Exercare specialises in in-home falls prevention programs. We bring any necessary equipment and design programs that work safely and effectively in your home environment.