GP Fall Risk Assessment (All Results) - Falls Prevention Online Workshops

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Risk Assessment

Intervention/Management

Referral/Follow Up

0 fall in past year + no other fall risk factor

Refer to how to fall-proof yourself in the Stay Independent brochure or Staying Active and On Your Feet booklet.

Community exercise with balance component.
Example of exercises in Staying Active and On Your Feet booklet (URL below).
NSW exercise venues: www.activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au

1 fall in past year, or worried about falling

Group exercise with balance component (e.g. Tai Chi), or

Fall prevention program (e.g. Stepping On).

Community exercise with balance component or a fall prevention program.
Example of exercises in Staying Active and On Your Feet booklet (URL below).
NSW exercise and Stepping On venues: www.activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au

Problems with balance/strength/gait

Consider individual prescription for balance and lower limb strength exercise.

Physiotherapist or exercise physiologist for exercise prescription.

≥ 2 falls in past year, or
Injurious falls, or
1 fall + unsteadiness, or
1 fall + recent hospitalisation
Patient Flyer

Refer for individual prescription for balance and lower limb strength exercise

Review home safety
If required, consider referral to geriatrician or Falls Clinic.

Physiotherapist or exercise physiologist for exercise prescription.
Occupational therapist for home safety assessment.
Geriatrician or Falls Clinic, for complex care patients and those who continue to fall despite management.

Taking sedatives, antidepressants or antipsychotics, or ≥ 4 medications

Review indication, side effects and use of medication(s).
Consider discussion with a pharmacist.

GP medication summary

Patient medicines list

HMR pharmacist for comprehensive medication review.

Severe vision impairment

Review home safety.

Occupational therapist for home safety assessment.

Cataract(s)

Assess for cataract(s) surgery.

Ophthalmologist.

Postural hypotension, dizziness, or light-headedness

Investigate underlying cause(s).

Patient Flyer (Postural Hypotension)

Patient Flyer (Dizziness)

GP action: medical and/or medication management.

Disabling foot pain

Assess foot pain.
Consider foot and ankle exercises.

FootHold Foot and Ankle exercises (www.foothold.org.au)
Podiatrist, physiotherapist, or exercise physiologist for exercise prescription.

Urge incontinence

Investigate underlying cause(s).

GP action: medical and/or medication management.

Cognitive impairment

Select falls prevention activity suited to patient’s cognitive ability.

Inform referred provider(s) of patient’s cognitive status.

© Clemson L, et al (2017). Integrated solutions for sustainable fall prevention in primary care, the iSOLVE project: a type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation design. Implementation Science, 12(1), 12.