Can physiotherapy prevent falls in older people?

Someone of any age can have a fall. But older adults are more likely to experience one. Around a third of people aged 65 and over fall every year. Fortunately, most tumbles don't result in a serious injury but they can lead to fractures. And even a mild fall can cause a loss of confidence and independence.

Falls can be serious for some people though. In the UK, they are the most common cause of injury-related death in the over-75s. So it's really important to do what you can to reduce the chances of one happening.

Why are older people at risk?

Older people are more at risk of a fall because we lose muscle as we age. You're also more likely to experience balance problems, poor vision or a health condition that causes dizziness when you're older. Some medications can make falls more likely too.

But trips are not inevitable in older people, explains physiotherapist Jo Coulter. And while we can't halt the ageing process, there are plenty of steps you can take to prevent falls.

"Many older people believe that they're going to have falls and see it as a normal thing. But it's not," she says.

Regular eye tests can make a big difference. And it's a good idea to check your home for trip hazards. Look for loose rugs or mats, places where lighting could be improved and problems on the stairs such as broken handrails. But one of the most significant ways of reducing the risk of falling is improving your activity levels.

Why staying active can help

Coulter explains that your muscles send the brain information about how to move your body to prevent injury.

"The more muscle you have, the more feedback you're going to give the brain about where you are in space, how you are balanced and how to prevent a fall," she says.

The key to building up muscle is regular physical activity. It's recommended that all adults aim to do two and a half hours of moderate-intensity exercise a week. However, most people aren't meeting this target, or mistakenly believe that a gentle daily stroll is enough.

"Walking is very good for lots of health reasons, but it doesn't reduce your risk of having a fall and won't increase a person's strength," reveals Chris Tuckett, physiotherapist and Public Health England physical activity champion.

He encourages older people to include muscle-strengthening activities in their routine, such as exercising with weights, doing yoga or carrying heavy shopping at least two days a week.

For older people who are worried about losing muscle and aren't as active as they used to be, a physiotherapist can help by assessing physical strength, flexibility and balance. They can recommend a tailored exercise plan to help build muscle and make the chances of falling less likely.

"There is a real need to prevent the loss of strength as people get older," says Tuckett. "We need to have conversations about how active they are and to make them realise maintaining activity levels can prevent them from becoming frail, having a fall or suffering injuries from a fall."

Exercises to try at home

Even if you can't see a physiotherapist for a little while, there are plenty of easy exercises you can try at home to improve your strength and balance and reduce your risk of a fall. Try the following routines two to three times a week.

Calf raises

"The calf muscles are very important for being able to right yourself if you feel yourself falling forwards. They also have a valuable function in terms of regulating blood pressure," says Tuckett. "Often if an older person stands up too quickly, blood can pool around their ankles which can cause them to feel dizzy. But doing some calf raises helps to move that blood back up."

Sit to stand

"This one's really good for lower leg strength. When you lose lower leg strength it makes a lot of things in life very difficult, from getting on to a bus to getting out of the car," points out Tuckett.

One-leg stand

"This one might be quite high level for some people, but you can use the back of a chair for balance," says Tuckett.

He wants everyone to know that while falls can't be prevented entirely, lack of strength and balance is a significant cause and these can be easily improved. "Some people think that once they get older they can't build muscle or improve balance, but they absolutely can."

Even though they might not be able to offer in-person appointments during the coronavirus pandemic, physiotherapists can still help you regain movement and reduce pain. You can now book private video appointments with a trained and experienced physiotherapist on Patient Access.