The Falls and Falls Injury Prevention Program helps people who have experienced falls or are looking for ways to minimise their risk of falling, including a fear of falling.

About this service

We offer a short-term service to address risk factors to older adults who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing falls. We also offer the Stepping On Education program for older adults who have a fear of falling.

Who we care for

Our services are available for:

• people over the age of 65 years, or 50 years for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This program is free for Medicare or ACT Services Access Card holders. This program does not require a My Aged Care referral.

How to access this service

You can refer yourself to this program by calling the Central Health Intake on (02) 5124 9977.

You can also get a referral from your GP or your medical or Allied health practitioner.

Services include:

Falls and Falls Injury Prevention Clinic:

The Falls and Falls Injury Prevention Clinic can assess you to identify your personal risk factors for falling.

At the clinic appointment you will be provided with individual advice, information and activities that you can complete to reduce your risk of falling.

This might include engaging in exercises, undertaking a home assessment to ensure your home is set-up safely, and referrals to other specialised health care providers.

What to expect

We will write to you or call you to confirm your appointment time. We will also send you some documents to complete and bring with you to your appointment.

Your clinic assessment will take about two hours and you will be seen by a Nurse, a Physiotherapist, and a Dietician who will assess your falls risk factors.

We will discuss a treatment plan with you which is likely to include undertaking some exercises and discussing some things you can do to reduce your falls risk.

We will provide you and your GP with a list of the recommendations and treatment plan that we make.

We will assess whether you would benefit from an assessment of falls risks in your home. If appropriate, an Occupational Therapist will then be in touch to complete an assessment. They may suggest changes to make your home safer and help prevent falls. You might also be referred to other services to help with making your home safer.

What to bring to your appointment

• Medicare card
• We will send you some documents prior to your appointment to collect some information that we ask you to bring back to your appointment.

Where we’re located

• Falls Assessment Clinics are at University of Canberra Hospital and Tuggeranong Health Centre.
• The Stepping On program and physiotherapy exercise groups are at various health centres and University of Canberra Hospital.
• Some interventions may also be provided in your home.