Falls Prevention

Next Wave Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Falls Prevention Treatment Programs are designed to help people build strength and balance for confidence at home and in life.

A simple trip or slip can end up being a life changing event. Fractures and broken bones can be the beginning of more chronic disease and disability. Even a small trip can be scary and results in a fear of falling. This unfortunately contributes to increasing the risk of falling again.

Addressing falls and the needs of those who are at risk of falling is important.

Who needs falls prevention?

Next Wave Therapy Falls Prevention Programs are for people who are at risk of falling.

It’s common to think of falls prevention as being for elders but it really starts from a much earlier age, even from childhood. The more active you are the greater your strength, agility and fitness throughout life.

People At Greater Risk Of Falls Are Those Who Have

• Had a fall recently (in the past 3-12 months)

• Lost confidence with mobility

• Had ankle, knee or hip surgery recently

• Problems with balance and walking

• Poor lower limb strength and/or flexibility

• Problems with eyesight, hearing, and reflexes

• Urgency or incontinence (which causes rushing to the bathroom)

• Fatigue

• Postural hypotension (when a persons blood pressure drops too much when standing after lying down or sitting.

• Foot problems that cause pain

Age related loss of muscle mass and strength, bone density and sensory changes will increase someone’s risk of falls.

Conditions With Higher Falls Risk

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Thyroid imbalance

• Disorders causing vertigo & dizziness

• POTS

• Chronic fatigue Syndrome

• Osteo-arthritis

Some medications can increase a person’s risk of falling because they cause side effects such as dizziness or confusion. The more medications you take, the more likely you are to fall.

Falls Prevention Treatment Programs at Next Wave Therapy

Our physiotherapy and occupational therapy programs assist people to build confidence in living safely.
The more active you are, the greater your muscle strength, flexibility, balance & stamina. We help you to be more active in your daily life.

1. Assessing The Problem

Our highly experienced physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists will assess your falls risks and other contributing problems.

Next Wave Physiotherapy will help you to build better mobility, balance, strength and stamina into your life.
Physiotherapists assess how you move in life (functional mobility). They are qualified to assess all the factors that may be affecting your mobility and falls risks.

Next Wave Occupational Therapists will assess your functional mobility and home environment. They will address other factors affecting falls risks such as vision, confidence, stress, sleep, fatigue and continence. They also assess how your falls risk is increased during self care, work, home duties or leisure activities.

2. Get Active

We will help you to join a Exercise Rehabilitation program that meets your needs. Or you may opt for an individual Home Exercise Program.

At Next Wave Therapy the supervised exercise programs we offer for Falls Prevention are:

• GLA:D Exercise Program for Osteo-arthritis.

• Clinical Pilates for strength, balance and flexibility.

• Exercise Rehabilitation for pain care, injury management and pre-post surgery rehabilitation

• Strength Training for osteoporosis

3. Safety At Home And In The Community

We will help you to implement strategies for safety and falls prevention in your life.

Our occupational therapists will assess your home environment and advise on what things may prevent falls. For example; using a sensor night light or installing grab rails.

Our physiotherapists will work with you to build confidence at home, knowing what your limits are and when to ask for help and prescribing mobility aids.

If you have a fear of falling, building confidence with strength, balance and relaxation is recommended and provided in this Falls Prevention Program.

4. Manage Your Health

 It is important stay well through healthy eating, staying hydrated and avoid problems with nutritional deficiencies such as fatigue from low iron.

We will refer you to a Podiatrist if needed for management of problems with your feet or footwear

We will refer you to your GP if you need a health check or medication review. Medical problems such as incontinence, high BP or anxiety and medication side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness can contribute to falls.

Next Wave Therapy falls prevention helps people move, think & feel more confident in their home & life.

If you want help with preventing falls, being safe in your home, building strength and stamina in life – we can help!

Preventing falls is every bodies concern

Falls and fractures are commonly associated with occurring in old age but Next Wave Therapists treat people of all ages with falls risk concerns. While there is alot that can be done to prevent falls, the best time to start falls prevention is now, whatever your age.

The World Health Organization WHO recommends that all adults (regardless of age, health, or ability) do 30-60min of physical activity most days, for optimal physical and mental health. To prevent falls and maintain independence this should include exercise or activities that improve strength and balance.

Every bit of activity helps.