Next Wave Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy programs are designed to help you enhance your strength and balance, leading to greater confidence both at home and in your everyday life.
Who Needs a Falls Prevention Program?
Falls prevention isn’t just for the elderly; it’s essential for everyone, regardless of age. Staying active throughout life helps maintain strength, agility, and fitness, which are crucial for preventing falls.
Individuals at Higher Risk of Falls Include:
- Those who have fallen recently (within the past 3-12 months)
- Individuals with reduced confidence in their mobility
- People who have undergone ankle, knee, or hip surgery
- Those with osteoarthritis
- Individuals experiencing decreased balance
- People with poor lower limb strength and/or flexibility
- Those with neurological disorders affecting mobility
- Individuals with persistent pain
Age-related changes, such as decreased muscle mass, strength, bone density, and sensory function, can also increase the risk of falls.
Top Tips for Preventing Falls
1. Manage Your Health
- Eat a balanced diet, paying attention to iron intake
- Stay hydrated
- Monitor medications and their side effects (dizziness, drowsiness) and consult your GP if needed
- Spend time outdoors for sunlight exposure (Vitamin D)
- Get sufficient sleep
- Manage continence issues
2. Implement Safety Strategies at Home
- Ensure adequate lighting (consider sensor night lights)
- Wear supportive, non-slip shoes
- Remove trip hazards like loose mats and clutter
- Use mobility aids and equipment if necessary
- Ask for help with tasks involving heavy lifting, reaching, or bending
3. Stay Active
- Increase daily activity levels
- Incorporate functional movements whenever possible
- Exercise with others for added motivation and support
- Choose activities that suit your needs (walking, swimming, tai chi, Pilates)
Our Physio’s & OT’s can help with this – The more active you are, the greater your muscle strength, flexibility, balance & stamina.
4. Get Professional Help
Next Wave Therapy have a team of experts that can assist you with fall prevention, this includes:
- Our physiotherapists assess musculoskeletal and neural factors impacting balance and mobility, helping you improve movement, balance, strength, and stamina
- Our occupational therapists evaluate functional mobility and your home environment, addressing factors like vision, confidence, stress, sleep, fatigue, and continence that contribute to falls risk
- Our naturopaths offer guidance on diet and nutrition
We work closely with your allied health team and may refer you to:
- Your GP for medication review or health concerns
- A podiatrist for foot or footwear issues
Falls Prevention Programs at Next Wave Therapy
Our exercise rehabilitation programs in O’Connor (Fremantle area) focus on falls prevention and include:
- GLA:D Exercise Program for Osteoarthritis
- Pilates for strength, balance, and flexibility
- Exercise rehabilitation for pain care, injury management, and pre/post-surgery
- Strength training for osteoporosis
- Home assessment and personalised home programs
We are committed to helping you move, think, and feel more confident in your home and life.
