Falls Prevention & Balance Support
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 have had a “near miss,” or they are 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
Most clinics only offer exercise. We go further. By combining Physio and OT, we ensure you or your loved one (often a parent) is strong enough to walk and their home is safe enough to walk in.
THE PHYSIOTHERAPY ROLE
Our Physios focus on the internal causes of falling: muscle weakness, poor balance, and shuffling gait.
- Otago Strength Training: Clinically proven exercises to rebuild leg muscle.
- Balance Retraining: Teaching the body how to react to trips and stumbles.
- Gait Re-education: Correcting “shuffling” habits to ensure safe stepping.
- Floor Recovery: Teaching “Backward Chaining” techniques to get up safely.
THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ROLE
Our OTs focus on the external causes: loose rugs, poor lighting, and unsafe habits.
- Hazard Audit: A room-by-room check to remove trip hazards.
- Lighting & Vision: Assessing “danger zones” like the hallway at night.
- Safe Habits: Retraining how they carry tea or answer the door.
- Fear Management: Strategies to overcome the “fear of falling.”
Why treating Falls at home is essential
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 can see exactly which chair they struggle to stand up from, which step causes them trouble, and where the lighting is too dim. This allows us to create a safety plan that works in the real world.
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How do I know if my parent is at risk of falling?
There are usually warning signs before a major fall. If they are “furniture surfing” (holding onto chairs to walk), seem hesitant on stairs, have had a minor stumble in the last year, or express a fear of falling, they are at risk. A comprehensive assessment can identify the specific physical and environmental 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 (balance, muscle strength, gait), while the Occupational Therapist assesses the environment (rugs, lighting, bathroom safety). By looking at both, we ensure your parent is physically stronger and their home is safer.
Will they need to make expensive changes to their home?
Rarely. We prioritise practical, low-cost solutions. Often, safety can be improved by rearranging furniture, improving lighting with brighter bulbs, or removing trip hazards. If equipment (like grab rails) is needed, we guide you on exactly what to get, but the choice is always yours.
Which areas do you visit?
We provide home visits across Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire. This includes Ringwood, Bournemouth, Poole, Southampton, Salisbury, and the surrounding villages.