Falls Prevention Physio & OT at Home
Worried about a parent falling at home?
A fall can change everything in an instant. For many families, the constant worry that a parent isn’t safe in their own home is exhausting. Perhaps they’ve had a “near miss,” or they’re losing confidence and holding onto furniture to get around.
You don’t have to wait for a crisis to act. Our specialised home falls prevention service stops the cycle of falling by treating the two root causes: the body (Physiotherapy) and the environment (Occupational Therapy).
The “Whole Person” Approach to Falls Prevention
Most clinics only offer exercise. We go further. By combining Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, we ensure your loved one is strong enough to walk and their home is safe enough to walk in.
THE PHYSIOTHERAPY ROLE
Our Physiotherapists focus on the internal causes of falling: muscle weakness, poor balance, and shuffling gait. A falls assessment identifies exactly where the problems lie, then we create a tailored rehabilitation programme.
- Otago Strength Training: Clinically proven exercises to rebuild leg muscle and reduce fall risk by up to 35%.
- Balance Retraining: Teaching the body how to react to trips and stumbles before they become falls.
- Gait Re-education: Correcting “shuffling” habits to ensure safe, confident stepping.
- Floor Recovery Training: Teaching “Backward Chaining” techniques so they know how to get up safely if they do fall.
THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ROLE
Our Occupational Therapists focus on the external causes of falling: loose rugs, poor lighting, and unsafe daily habits. A comprehensive home assessment identifies the hidden hazards that increase fall risk.
- Home Hazard Audit: A room-by-room check to identify and remove trip hazards.
- Lighting & Vision Assessment: Identifying “danger zones” like the hallway at night or the path to the bathroom.
- Safe Habits Coaching: Retraining how they carry tea, answer the door, or get out of bed safely.
- Fear of Falling Support: Strategies to rebuild confidence and overcome the anxiety that often follows a fall.
Why Falls Rehabilitation Works Best at Home
You cannot effectively treat falls in a clinic. A patient might walk perfectly on a smooth clinic floor but struggle on their own thick carpet. By seeing your parent in their own environment, we see the real picture.
We observe exactly which chair they struggle to stand from, which step causes them trouble, and where the lighting is too dim. This allows us to create a practical safety plan that works in the real world — not just in theory.
Trusted by Families Across Hampshire, Dorset & Wiltshire
We are incredibly proud of the 5-star feedback we receive from families we’ve helped. These independent Google reviews reflect our team’s commitment to helping older adults regain mobility and independence through compassionate, professional care at home.
Meet Our Falls Prevention Specialists
Rebuilding confidence after a fall takes expertise and patience. Our Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists work together to improve strength, balance, and home safety. View full team profiles →
Clinical Director & Senior Physiotherapist
Expert in Elderly Rehab, Falls Prevention & Neurological Physio.
Senior Physiotherapist
Expert in Neuro Rehab for Stroke & Brain Injury, plus Falls & Balance.
Senior Physiotherapist
Specialist in Elderly Care, Neuro Rehab, Palliative & Orthopaedic physio.
Senior Occupational Therapist
OT supporting older adults with anxiety, memory, and home safety adaptations.
Senior Physiotherapist
Expert in Neuro Physio for Stroke & Parkinson’s, plus Falls Prevention.
Senior Physiotherapist
Expert in Elderly & Frailty Care, Orthopaedic Rehab, and Falls Prevention.
Senior Occupational Therapist
OT focused on elderly care, neuro rehab, falls prevention, and equipment.
Senior Physiotherapist
Expert in Neuro Physio, Vestibular Rehab, and Orthopaedic conditions.
Senior Occupational Therapist
OT supporting adults with anxiety, bereavement, and cognitive decline at home.
Senior Physiotherapist
Physio for Neuro Rehab, Learning Disabilities, and Elderly Care & Falls.
Senior Physiotherapist
Specialist in Elderly, Orthopaedic & Neurological Rehabilitation.
Senior Physiotherapist
Rehab physio for Neuro & Respiratory conditions, Falls Prevention.
Senior Physiotherapist
Specialist in Neuro Rehab, Vestibular Conditions & Falls Prevention.
Senior Occupational Therapist
OT specialising in Stroke Rehab, Upper Limb recovery & Home Adaptations.
Senior Physiotherapist
Respiratory physio specialising in breathing pattern disorders, chronic cough & pulmonary rehab.
Senior Physiotherapist
Expert in Geriatric & Post-Surgical Rehab, plus Falls Prevention for older adults.
Related Conditions
Is Dizziness the cause?
View our Vestibular Clinic →
General Mobility Loss
View Elderly Rehab →
Dementia Safety
View Dementia Support →
What is a falls assessment?
A falls assessment is a comprehensive evaluation carried out in your parent’s home by a Physiotherapist and/or Occupational Therapist. The Physio assesses physical factors like balance, leg strength, and walking pattern. The OT assesses environmental factors like trip hazards, lighting, and bathroom safety. Together, this gives us the full picture of why falls are happening — or likely to happen — and what to do about it.
What does a physiotherapist do after someone has fallen?
After a fall, a Physiotherapist will assess what caused it (weakness, balance problems, dizziness) and create a rehabilitation programme to address those issues. This typically includes strength exercises, balance retraining, and teaching safe techniques for getting up from the floor. The goal is to rebuild both physical ability and confidence so your parent can move safely again.
How do I know if my parent is at risk of falling?
There are usually warning signs before a major fall. Watch for “furniture surfing” (holding onto chairs and walls to walk), hesitation on stairs, shuffling feet, near-misses they brush off, or them simply saying they feel unsteady. If any of these sound familiar, a falls assessment can identify the specific causes before an injury occurs.
What is the difference between the Physio and OT assessment?
They work hand-in-hand. The Physiotherapist assesses the person — their balance, muscle strength, gait, and any dizziness or coordination issues. The Occupational Therapist assesses the environment — rugs, lighting, bathroom layout, furniture arrangement. By addressing both the body and the home, we ensure your parent is physically stronger and their surroundings are safer.
Can the risk of falling be completely removed?
No intervention can eliminate all risk — accidents happen. However, research shows that targeted physiotherapy (particularly the Otago Exercise Programme) can reduce fall risk by up to 35% in older adults. Combined with home modifications from an OT, most families see a significant reduction in falls and near-misses, along with improved confidence.
Will they need to make expensive changes to their home?
Rarely. We prioritise practical, low-cost solutions first. Often, safety improves dramatically just by rearranging furniture, fitting brighter bulbs, or removing a rug. If equipment like grab rails or a perching stool would help, we’ll explain exactly what’s needed and where to get it — but the decision is always yours.
Which areas do you cover for falls prevention?
We provide home visits for falls assessments and rehabilitation across Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire. This includes Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole, Salisbury, Ringwood, the New Forest, and surrounding villages. View all areas we cover →