April ‘No Falls’

A month long campaign centred on ‘falls awareness’ kicks off next Monday.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) encourages all health professionals to embrace the no falls message in an attempt to spread the word of falls risks and prevention opportunities.

The campaign is dubbed ‘April No Falls’ after ‘April Fools Day’.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found the number of elderly people who die each year from falls has quadrupled over the past decade. More than 1,500 people over the age of 75 years died from falls in 2011, compared to 365 in 2002. Falls are also the leading cause of injury related hospitalisation in persons aged 65 years and over in Australia.

However, there are simple exercise based strategies available to decrease your risk of falls. In a 2012 study, Canadian researchers found among the 227 falls that they witnessed, the most common cause (41%) was due to an incorrect shifting of body weight, while ‘slipping’ only accounted for 3%.

“Results like this demonstrate the importance of exercise, strength, and balance training in the prevention of falls and the minimisation of associated risks,” APA president, Marcus Dripps, said. “Evidence shows us that home based exercise programs containing some form of balance and strength training are the most important intervention strategy to effectively decrease falls.”

Keep yourself active and on your feet

Inactive or unfit people may have poorer balance and weaker muscles, which increases the risk of falling. Inactivity also allows joints to stiffen which decreases balance.

“An Australian review into falls prevention found fall rates can be reduced by up to 65% with a combination of a high dose exercise program and balance challenging exercises, such as standing with feet close together or on one leg while practicing controlled movements,” Mr Dripps said.

Not only do falls represent a massive physical risk for older individuals, but a fear of falls can lead to loss of confidence and activity avoidance, resulting in a vicious cycle of further declining balance, mobility and independence.

A physiotherapist can tailor a balance and strength exercise program to minimise the risk of falls. This will take into account particular areas of weakness or reduced balance, other health conditions, and specific activity goals, such as being able to continue to play golf or play with your grandchildren.