With consequences of falls, physical harm or abuse including increased anxiety and fear of falling or being attacked again, increased functional decline, decreased independence, fractures, distress and even death, preventive steps are essential for older and infirm Australians.

One Curtin University study – reported on the Australian Ageing Agenda website – has shown that trained community workers can safely incorporate an 8-week falls-prevention exercise program into their existing services for those older and infirm clients who are at low or medium risk of falling over.

With just four hours of training, community care workers were able to deliver the falls-prevention program, leading to positive outcomes.

Conversation starter

What experience have you or a loved one who is still living at home had with falls, physical harm or abuse? How did that experience come to light? Who was able to assist and was a solution found?