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Programs for falls prevention
Falls can happen to anyone, but they’re more common and more significant as we get older, as they can result in a trip to the hospital or a move into an aged care home. There are a number of programs and services that can help you to remain at home after a fall.
- Transition Care Program (more information)
- Commonwealth Carelink Centre (more information)
- Home and Community Care (HACC) program (more information)
- National Respite for Carers Program (more information) & the National Carer Counselling Program (more information)
- Home maintenance schemes
- Short-term care
- Carer information
- Getting financial help
- Community programs
- Help through your doctor
Transition Care Program
This program is aimed at helping you improve your independence and confidence after a hospital stay. It works by providing low-intensity therapy (more information) and support as part of an ongoing but slower recovery process, giving you and your family time to determine whether you can return home with additional support from community care services, or need to consider the level of care provided by an aged care home.
Read more: About the Transition Care Program
Commonwealth Carelink Centre
This is where you’ll find local knowledge about aged care and links with the people in your community who provide a range of community care services. It’s also where you can link up with your local Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs or ACAS) (more information) who can help assess your needs and provide advice on new care options after a fall. You can contact a Commonwealth Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222.
Home and Community Care (HACC) program
This program can coordinate and provide a range of maintenance and support services that can help you manage any disabilities after a fall, and maintain your independence at home and in the community. The services are offered by a wide range of providers, such as community, private, church and charitable organisations, located throughout Australia.
Read more: About the Home and Community Care program
National Respite for Carers Program and the National Carer Counselling Program
If you have a family member or friend who helps you continue living at home after a fall, this program lets them have a break, for a few hours or even a few days. The program also includes the National Carer Counselling Program, which offers professional counselling and advice for your carer.
Read more: About National Respite for Carers Program
Home maintenance schemes
These local or state government schemes are designed to help you make your home safer and easier to manage – helping to reduce the recurrence of falls.
Contact the Commonwealth Carlink Centres on 1800 052 222.
Short-term care
Carer respite centres can organise either short-term or emergency respite services so that your carer can take a break. A carer can take come to your home or you can stay temporarily in a facility. You can contact a Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre on 1800 059 059.
Carer information
Carers Australia represents carers of people with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or those who are frail or aged. It also provides information, support, education, training and counselling for carers.
The Carers Association, through Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres can provide carers with information and advice that can assist your carer in his or her role. Information is available on a wide range of topics, including home help, carers support groups, financial entitlements, support services, respite and general assistance. You can contact the Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre on 1800 242 636.
Carer support groups provide emotional support to carers, and are sometimes organised around specific conditions. The Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre can provide information about these groups in your area and refer you to other organisations that also offer support.You can contact the Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre on 1800 242 636.
Getting financial help
To find out if you are eligible for financial assistance, contact:
- a Centrelink office
- the Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre on 1800 242 636
- the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 13 32 54
- a Commonwealth Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222
- a financial adviser
- your doctor, or
- any health professional associated with your care.
Community programs
It is always a good idea to contact your local community health centre, health promotion or public health unit to find out what programs they may have for preventing falls, or support for people who have fallen. For contact details of your centre or unit, look in the state or territory government section of your local White Pages.
Help through your doctor
Some older people are more likely to fall than others, especially if they’ve fallen in the past six months, but there are many things you can do to reduce your risk of falling. Most falls are preventable!
Talk to your doctor about any falls you’ve had. Don’t just dismiss them as clumsiness. Falls can be a sign of a new medical problem, muscle weakness, balance problems or medication side effects. It will help your doctor if you give him or her information about where you fell, the time of day you fell, what you were doing and how you were feeling just before the fall. Your family may be able to fill in the details if you can’t remember.
Read more: Am I at risk of a fall?
Common questions on this topic:
- Mum lives alone. She manages well, but I'm worried that she might fall and need help. What can I do?
- Where can I get more information about Falls Prevention?
- Mum has had a walking frame for a few years now. It needs to have the brakes adjusted. How can I find out where to get the walking frame 'serviced'?
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