The Critical Importance of Physiotherapy in Preventing Falls Among Older Australians
When older individuals experience falls, the consequences can be profoundly life-altering, affecting their long-term health and overall wellbeing. Alarmingly, falls account for more than 40 percent of deaths in people aged over 65, highlighting a significant public health concern that demands urgent attention.
Physiotherapists occupy a crucial position in mitigating this risk through carefully designed exercise programs that specifically target balance and mobility enhancement. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has emphasized this essential role and is actively advocating for policymakers to allocate funding toward preventative healthcare initiatives.
Evidence-Based Support for Exercise Interventions
The 2025 Cochrane Australia review, which assessed various interventions to prevent falls in older residents of care facilities, provided compelling evidence. It concluded that consistent, active exercise significantly reduces both the rate of falls and the overall risk of falling among the elderly.
Dr Rik Dawson, APA national president and a leading gerontological physiotherapist who contributed to the Cochrane review, stated that recent research strongly supports the necessity for government-led healthcare reforms. "The evidence tells us that if we want to stop falls from happening, older Australians need increased access to preventative physiotherapy," Dr Dawson explained. "Funding for physiotherapy-led falls prevention programs will increase access to preventative physiotherapy for ageing Australians."
Real-World Success Stories and Statistical Impact
Dr Dawson has worked with numerous clients who have achieved remarkable improvements in mobility and independence by following national falls prevention guidelines. One notable example is Rita, a 95-year-old resident of a Sydney aged care facility who lives with multiple debilitating conditions.
Rita participated in a physiotherapy-led telehealth program that enabled her to regain confidence while walking, alleviate knee pain, improve breathing, and, most importantly, preserve her dignity. "Physiotherapy gave me back my strength. I'm steadier, I feel safer and I know I can keep living as independently as possible," Rita shared.
Rita's case is just one of many where physiotherapy has effectively restored mobility and decreased the risk of serious injury for older Australians across various living environments. Additional research underscores this impact, showing that physiotherapy reduces falls by 55 percent in residential aged care settings and by 42 percent for those living independently at home.
The Broader Healthcare and Economic Implications
"Right now, many older Australians only receive support after a serious injury like a fall," Dr Dawson noted. "These injuries are often debilitating and lead to repeat hospital visits, reliance on others for care, and, ultimately, the potential for a dangerous decline in overall health. In turn, greater strain is placed on already overcrowded hospitals and the financial burden on the broader healthcare system increases."
In the 2022-23 period, injuries resulting from falls cost the Australian health system a staggering $5.1 billion. As the nation's population continues to age, this financial burden is projected to escalate further, underscoring the urgency for preventative measures.
Expert Advocacy for Expanded Physiotherapy Roles
Caitlin McDonald, national chair of the APA's Gerontology Group, emphasized that gerontological physiotherapists are prepared and eager to assume a larger role in falls prevention if provided with adequate opportunities. "Gerontological physiotherapists have an expansive scope which allows us to provide tailored, person-centric care to older people for a range of movement and cognitive concerns," Ms McDonald stated.
"Preventing falls for ageing Australians is what we do - physiotherapists are highly trained to improve the mobility of their clients through assessing and managing their conditions. Frailty and pain are a really common experience for older Australians and physiotherapists can tailor programs for the individual depending on their functional and cognitive capacity."
Despite extensive research confirming that exercise and physical activity are fundamental components of effective falls prevention programs, the role of physiotherapy remains under-recognized in terms of funding and integrated care.
A Call for Government Action and Systemic Reform
"It doesn't have to be this way," Dr Dawson asserted. "If the federal government enacts reforms which increase access to and funding for preventative physiotherapy programs, we can keep more older Australians mobile, healthy and living independent lives, easing system pressures across the board."
By investing in preventative physiotherapy, Australia can not only enhance the quality of life for its ageing population but also alleviate the growing strain on healthcare resources, creating a more sustainable and effective system for all.
