Falls – services for older people

Falls are the leading cause of injury for older people.

It is estimated that at least one in three people aged 65 years or over fall one or more times a year. Older people are almost 12 times more likely to have a fall than a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident.

Most falls happen in and around the home, but falls can also happen in residential aged care homes and hospitals.

You can prevent or lower your risk of falls by following some simple safety measures and by managing your health.

Various services are available to help you prevent falls, or to provide help if you have a fall.

Falls prevention

Falls can be prevented. Some risk factors for falls are easy to manage and, when falls occur, the severity of injuries can be reduced. Taking safety measures around your home, or in hospital, being cautious especially in unfamiliar environments and looking after your health and being physically active and regularly having your eyesight checked can make a big difference.

If you feel unsteady or have a fall, even one that does not cause an injury, make an appointment to discuss it with your doctor.

Find information on preventing falls at home.

Services to help you minimise the risk of falling

There are various services that can help people lower the risk of falls and provide assistance, should a fall happen.

ThroughMy Aged Care, the Commonwealth provides access to government-funded aged care services for older people to receive assistance at home and short-term supports. This may include specific help to minimise your risk of falling, such as help with home maintenance (general repairs and house and yard upkeep to reduce trip hazards) and home modification (such as installing safety aids such as alarms, ramps and support rails). If you are currently receiving Aged Care funded help at home, you can talk to your provider to see what can be done to reduce your risk of falls. If you are not currently receiving support, then contact My Aged Care or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 (free call).

To be eligible for Commonwealth aged care services, you must be aged 65 years or over (50 years or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) or have a disability.

Falls prevention in residential aged care homes

More than half of all people living in residential aged care have at least one fall each year. Injuries from falls are common, with up to a half of these falls causing serious injuries such as fractures.

However, falls can be reduced for people living in aged care homes by identifying your individual risk factors and developing a care plan to address the risk factors.

Find out what actions or falls prevention programs the staff and management at your residential aged care home have put in place to reduce falls, and what this involves. Ask them to develop a care plan for you to help reduce your risk of falling.

Falls prevention in hospital

Older people having a fall in hospital is common. You may be more unsteady on your feet because of your illness or surgery, or because you are unfamiliar with your hospital environment or taking new medication.

Injuries from falls can result in delaying your return home or a need for more support at home. The BHC page Preventing falls in hospital provides further information about how to reduce the risk of having a fall while you are in hospital.

Services to help you if you have a fall

Emergency services

If you have had a fall and you are able to reach a telephone, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.

Personal alert systems

You may want to consider installing a personal alert system in your home for prompt assistance if you fall. Personal alert systems notify your carers or family members, a rapid response service or emergency services in the event you have have an accident, such as a fall.

Personal alert systems or services can provide you with confidence to live in your own home, and offer you and your family greater peace of mind.

Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) is a personal monitoring service that responds to calls for assistance 24 hours a day. To be eligible for PAV you must be assessed by a designated PAV assessment organisation.

If you are not eligible for PAV, there are a lot of alternatives available for personal alert systems, refer to Alternatives to PAV.

Falls and balance clinics

A falls and balance clinic is a specialist service for people who are having near-falls or falls, particularly where the cause is not known. You can find a service near you at the National Ageing Research Institute.

These clinics provide detailed assessments of your balance and mobility. Assessments are carried out by a multidisciplinary team, which may include a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, rehabilitation physician or geriatrician. The aim of the assessment is to:

• work out what is causing you to fall
• refer you to medical or allied health professionals for therapy, treatment or ongoing case management
• help you establish a management plan that aims to prevent you having falls in the future

Your management plan might include:

• referrals to physiotherapists or exercise groups
• home safety information and advice
• medication management advice
• counselling.

You will need a referral from your doctor to attend a falls and mobility clinic.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor), about your fall, safe use of medications and for referral to a Falls and Mobility Clinic
• My Aged Care, call Tel. 1800 200 422
• Personal Alert Victoria
• your doctor or pharmacist, about the safe use of medications
• an occupational therapist, about making your home environment safer
• a physiotherapist, about suitable exercise programs and walking aids
• an optometrist, about checking your eyesight
• a podiatrist about footcare and footwear
• a dietitian, or community nurse about eating a healthy diet
• local council, about help with personal care, home maintenance, community hazards
• community health organisations, about managing specific chronic health conditions
• Commonwealth Respite Carelink Centres Tel. 1800 052 222
• Carers Australia Tel. 1800 242 636
• Seniors Information Victoria Tel. 1300 13 50 90
• Independent Living Centre Victoria Tel. (03) 9362 6111