Falls Prevention
Exercise Physiology
Falls are not accidents. They are the predictable consequence of specific, addressable deficits in strength, balance and neuromuscular control. At Beachside EP, we assess those deficits and address them directly with targeted clinical exercise, before a fall happens, not after one already has.
Takes 60 seconds · No referral needed to start · Medicare and aged care funding available
Why Falls Happen
Falls are not random. They have specific, addressable causes.
The most common reason older adults fall is not bad luck. It is a combination of physical deficits including reduced muscle strength, impaired balance, slowed reaction time, poor gait mechanics, that accumulate gradually and go unaddressed until a fall reveals them. By the time a fall happens, the underlying deficits have usually been present for years.
An Exercise Physiologist can identify and quantify these deficits through clinical assessment, well before a fall occurs. And the evidence for targeted exercise as a falls prevention intervention is among the strongest in all of preventive medicine.
Muscle Weakness
Age-related muscle loss reduces the strength needed to recover from a stumble, maintain upright posture and react quickly enough to prevent a fall once balance is disrupted.
Impaired Balance
Balance relies on the integration of visual, vestibular and proprioceptive inputs with neuromuscular output. All of these systems decline with age and can be specifically trained.
Slowed Reaction Time
The ability to react quickly enough to prevent a fall once balance is disrupted is a trainable neuromuscular skill. Reactive stepping and perturbation training specifically address this.
What We Do
A clinical falls prevention program targeting your specific risk factors
We begin with a comprehensive falls risk assessment to identify your specific deficits and risk factors. Your program is designed around what we find, not a generic group exercise class.
Clinical falls risk assessmentValidated balance and gait assessments including the Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale and 30-second chair stand test to quantify your current risk and identify specific deficits to target.
Progressive balance trainingSingle-leg stance, tandem standing, foam surface challenges and progressively demanding balance tasks that train your neuromuscular system to respond to balance disturbances.
Reactive stepping trainingSpecific exercises that train the speed and precision of your stepping response when balance is lost. This is the most direct training for preventing falls from trips and stumbles.
Lower limb strength trainingProgressive resistance training targeting the quadriceps, hip abductors, ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors, the muscle groups most critical for balance maintenance and fall recovery.
Gait assessment and retrainingAssessment of your walking pattern, step width, step length and foot clearance with targeted retraining to address the gait characteristics that increase falls risk.
Ankle strength and proprioceptionAnkle weakness and reduced proprioception are among the strongest predictors of falls risk. We address these specifically throughout your program.
Home environment assessment guidancePractical guidance on identifying and modifying the hazards in your home environment that contribute to falls risk, including floor surfaces, lighting, footwear and furniture placement.
Dual task trainingMaintaining balance while simultaneously talking, carrying objects or performing cognitive tasks is a real-world skill that declines with age. We train this directly through progressively challenging combined tasks.
Who We See
At risk, had a fall, or wanting to protect yourself before one happens
Falls prevention is most powerful when started before a fall has occurred. But we also provide comprehensive rehabilitation and risk reduction programs for those who have already had one or more falls.
Your Program
What to expect from your first appointment
Falls risk assessment
We conduct a comprehensive assessment of your balance, gait, lower limb strength, reaction time and falls history using validated clinical tools. We identify your specific risk factors and quantify your current risk level. This forms the basis of your individual program.
Individual program design
We design a program targeting your specific deficits, not a generic balance class. Your program is delivered via our exercise app with clear videos and instructions so you can practice safely between sessions.
Supervised sessions with progressive challenge
We supervise your exercise and progressively increase the challenge as your balance and strength improve. Falls prevention training requires progression — staying at the same level produces diminishing returns over time.
Regular reassessment and reports to your GP
We reassess your balance and falls risk using the same validated tools at each review so you can see objective improvement. Written reports are sent to your GP after every review.
Funding and Rebates
Multiple ways to fund your falls prevention program
Medicare CDM Plan
Falls prevention for older adults with chronic conditions qualifies under the CDM pathway. Up to 5 subsidised sessions per year.
My Aged Care — Support at Home
Falls prevention Exercise Physiology is fundable under the Independence Services category of Support at Home packages.
CHSP
Commonwealth Home Support Programme can fund falls prevention Exercise Physiology for eligible older Australians with a small client contribution.
DVA Gold and White Card
DVA Gold Card holders have all clinically necessary falls prevention sessions covered with no gap fee.
Private Health Insurance
Most extras policies cover Exercise Physiology. Check your policy for your annual limit and rebate amount.
Private
No referral needed. Book directly and pay privately. Falls prevention is an investment worth making.
Common Questions
Falls prevention FAQs
I have not had a fall yet. Is falls prevention relevant to me?
Yes, and this is the ideal time to start. Falls prevention is most effective before a fall has occurred. By the time a fall happens, the underlying deficits have often been accumulating for years. A clinical assessment will identify your current risk factors and a targeted program will address them before they result in an injury. Waiting for a fall to occur before taking action is like waiting for a car accident before wearing a seatbelt.
I have already had a fall. Is it too late?
Not at all. Post-fall exercise programs are among the most evidence-based interventions in falls prevention. We see many patients who come to us after one or more falls, often with significant fear of falling that has led them to restrict their activities. A structured program rebuilds strength, balance and confidence progressively and safely, reducing the risk of subsequent falls significantly.
Will balance exercises feel safe to do?
Yes. We design your program to be challenging enough to produce adaptation but never beyond what you can manage safely. All balance exercises are performed near a support surface in the early stages, and we are present to ensure your safety throughout every supervised session. We progress the challenge gradually as your confidence and capability improve.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can book directly and be seen privately. If you have a Medicare CDM plan or My Aged Care funding that includes Exercise Physiology, bring your documentation to your first appointment and we will process the funding on the spot.
Can family members attend?
Yes and we encourage it. Family members who understand your falls risk and your exercise program can support your home practice, help identify changes in your balance and gait, and feel more confident assisting you safely when needed. They are welcome at every appointment.
Do not wait for a fall to act.
Book your falls risk assessment today. We will identify your specific risk factors and build a targeted program to address them before they cause an injury.
Start Your Plan (Book Your First Appointment)Takes 60 seconds · No referral needed · Medicare and aged care funding available