Falls Prevention

Falls Prevention | Home Physiotherapy | Physio to Home

Michael Ghattas, Physiotherapist25 February 2026

Falls are the #1 cause of injury hospitalisation in older Australians. North Tasmania's home physiotherapist explains how to prevent them — without leaving home.

Micheal Ghattas

2/25/2026 · 6 min read

How to Prevent Falls at Home: A Guide for Older Tasmanians from a Home Physiotherapist

By Michael Ghattas, DPT | AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | 18 Years Experience

Physio to Home, North Tasmania | Last reviewed: February 2026

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation for older Australians — and the majority happen at home. The good news is that most falls are preventable with the right physiotherapy assessment, targeted exercises, and simple home modifications. If you or a loved one lives in a rural or regional area of North Tasmania and finds it difficult to get to a clinic, home-based physiotherapy may be the safest and most effective option available.

This guide explains why falls happen, what the research says about prevention, and what you can realistically do today to reduce your risk — without needing to leave home.

Who this guide is for

This article is written for older Tasmanians aged 65 and over — and their families and carers — who are concerned about fall risk at home. It is particularly relevant for those living in rural and remote areas of North Tasmania where access to outpatient physiotherapy clinics is limited.

Why Falls Are So Common — and So Serious — in Older Adults

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), falls account for 43% of all injury hospitalisations in people aged 65 and over. In Tasmania, where a significant portion of the population is aged and lives outside major urban centres, these numbers carry real weight.

Falls are rarely just "accidents". They happen because of a combination of physical, environmental, and sometimes medication-related factors that build up over time. The most common contributors include:

Reduced muscle strength in the legs and core, making it harder to recover balance after a stumble

Decreased proprioception — the body's ability to sense its position in space — which declines naturally with age

Poor balance and gait, often worsened by prolonged inactivity or after a period of illness

Vision changes that make it harder to detect hazards underfoot

Home hazards such as loose rugs, poor lighting, and lack of grab rails

Medications — particularly blood pressure medications, sedatives, and some pain medications — that affect balance or cause dizziness

A single fall can trigger a cycle of fear, reduced activity, further deconditioning, and increased fall risk. This is why early physiotherapy intervention is so important.

What the Evidence Says About Physiotherapy and Fall Prevention

The research is clear: physiotherapy is one of the most effective interventions for preventing falls in older adults. A landmark Cochrane Review analysed over 100 trials and found that exercise programmes delivered by physiotherapists — particularly those targeting balance and strength — significantly reduce both the rate of falls and the number of people who fall.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) recommends that older adults at risk of falling undertake a structured, physiotherapy-led programme that includes:

Progressive balance training (exercises that gradually challenge your ability to stay upright)

Lower limb strength exercises focusing on hips, knees, and ankles

Walking and gait retraining where needed

A home hazard assessment conducted in the actual environment where falls are most likely to occur

Critically, the evidence shows that home-based programmes are just as effective as clinic-based ones — and for people in rural North Tasmania, they are often more practical and consistent.

The North Tasmania Context: Why Home Physio Matters Here

For older residents in areas like George Town, Scottsdale, Ringarooma, or along the Tamar Valley, getting to a physiotherapy clinic in Launceston isn't always straightforward. Transport dependency, long distances, and weather conditions in winter can make regular clinic attendance unrealistic.

This is where home physiotherapy services like Physio to Home make a meaningful difference. When a physiotherapist comes to your home, they can:

Assess your actual living environment — the specific stairs, bathroom, kitchen layout, and flooring you navigate every day

Identify hazards that would never be visible in a clinic setting

Design an exercise programme using your real furniture and space as equipment

Coordinate with your GP, aged care provider, or NDIS support team directly

If you receive home care through My Aged Care or have an NDIS plan, physiotherapy home visits are typically a funded service. Our team can help you understand what you're entitled to and assist with the referral process.

Practical Falls Prevention: What You Can Start Today

1. Strengthen Your Legs Every Day

You don't need gym equipment to build meaningful lower limb strength. The following exercises, performed daily, have strong evidence behind them for fall prevention:

Sit-to-stand: From a chair, stand up and sit back down slowly 10 times. This works your quadriceps and glutes — the most important muscles for balance.

Heel raises: Standing at the kitchen bench for support, rise onto your toes and lower slowly. Repeat 15 times.

Single-leg stance: Hold a bench and try standing on one leg for 10 seconds each side.

These exercises should be performed within a safe environment. If you are currently experiencing balance problems or have already had a fall, please consult a physiotherapist before beginning any programme.

2. Audit Your Home for Hazards

Walk through each room with fresh eyes — or ask a family member to help — and look for:

Loose rugs or mats (remove or secure them with non-slip backing)

Power cords crossing walkways

Poor lighting in hallways, bathrooms, and stairwells

Absence of grab rails in the bathroom and beside the toilet

Items stored at heights that require stepping on a stool or chair

A formal home hazard assessment by a physiotherapist goes well beyond this checklist and can identify risks that aren't obvious to the untrained eye.

3. Review Your Medications with Your GP

If you take four or more medications regularly, speak with your GP about a medication review. Polypharmacy — taking multiple medications — is one of the strongest and most underestimated risk factors for falls in older adults.

4. Have Your Vision Checked

Poor vision doubles fall risk. An annual eye check is a simple but powerful part of any fall prevention plan.

When to Seek Professional Help Urgently

Warning signs that require prompt assessment

Seek a physiotherapy assessment (or speak to your GP) promptly if you experience any of the following: you have already had a fall in the past 12 months; you feel unsteady when walking or turning around; you are afraid of falling and have started avoiding activities; you have noticed your legs feel weaker than they used to; or you feel dizzy when you stand up.

One fall significantly increases the risk of another. Early intervention after a fall — or after noticing balance changes — can break this cycle before it leads to serious injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am at risk of falling?

Common signs include feeling unsteady on your feet, needing to hold onto walls or furniture when walking, having had a near-miss stumble, or feeling dizzy when you stand up quickly. A physiotherapy falls risk assessment is the most reliable way to identify your specific risks. At Physio to Home, we conduct these assessments in your own home across North Tasmania.

Can physiotherapy actually prevent falls, or just help after one has happened?

Both. Physiotherapy is most effective when started before a fall occurs — it can strengthen the muscles and improve the balance systems that protect you. However, physiotherapy after a fall is equally important. It addresses both the physical deconditioning and the fear of falling again, which is a significant risk factor in its own right.

Is home physiotherapy covered by Medicare or aged care funding in Tasmania?

It can be. If you have a GP Management Plan (also called a Team Care Arrangement), you may be eligible for up to five Medicare-subsidised physiotherapy sessions per year. If you receive a Home Care Package through My Aged Care, physiotherapy is typically a covered service. NDIS participants can also access home physiotherapy under their plan. We are happy to help you navigate your funding options — contact us for a no-obligation chat.

How long does it take to see results from a falls prevention programme?

Research shows meaningful improvements in balance and strength within 6–12 weeks of a consistent exercise programme. The key word is consistent — exercises need to be done regularly, not just during physiotherapy visits. Your home physiotherapist will give you a personalised home programme to do between sessions.

What happens during a home physiotherapy falls risk assessment?

Your physiotherapist will assess your balance, gait (walking pattern), leg strength, and any medical or medication factors that contribute to fall risk. They will also walk through your home to identify environmental hazards. At the end, you will receive a written summary of findings and a personalised management plan.

Not Sure If You're at Risk?

Use our free Falls Risk Questionnaire to assess your risk level before booking — it takes less than two minutes.

📋 Download the Falls Risk Questionnaire (PDF)

Ready to Reduce Your Fall Risk at Home?

If you or a family member in North Tasmania is concerned about falls, we are here to help. Physio to Home provides AHPRA-registered physiotherapy in your own home — no travel required. We work with Medicare, My Aged Care, NDIS, and private clients.

About the Author

Michael Ghattas, DPT

AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy | 18 Years Clinical Experience

Michael is the founder of Physio to Home, a mobile physiotherapy practice serving older adults and rural residents across North Tasmania. He specialises in falls prevention, aged care physiotherapy, and post-surgical rehabilitation in the home setting.

References & Further Reading

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Injury in Australia: Falls. Cat. no. INJCAT 199. Canberra: AIHW, 2022.

Sherrington C, et al. Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community. *Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews*, 2019.

Australian Physiotherapy Association. Falls prevention in older people: Clinical practice guidelines. APA, 2023.

My Aged Care. Home Care Packages Program. Commonwealth of Australia, 2025. www.myagedcare.gov.au

Falls Prevention

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