Injury Prevention

Don't fall for it. Falls can be prevented!

This consumer booklet was prepared by the National Ageing Research Institute and Metropolitan Domiciliary Care, an agency of the State Government of South Australia, and was published for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The content of the publication was modified and reprinted in July 2005, and reprinted again in 2007.

The booklet is aimed at community dwelling older people and their families and carers. It contains information about three aspects of falls prevention:

• Fall-proofing yourself - This section describes intrinsic falls risk factors, relating to a person and their health and describes in detail how these risk factors can be reduced.
• Fall-proofing your surroundings - This section describes extrinsic falls risk factors, relating to the environment and describes in detail how these risk factors can be reduced.
• Just in case - This section describes what to do in the event of a fall. Information in this section includes how to minimise injury from a fall, making a plan to get help if you fall and how to get yourself and others up from the floor in the event of a fall.

Don't fall for it. Falls can be prevented! - A guide to preventing falls for older people (PDF 2970 KB)

The document may also be downloaded in sections:

• Front cover and publication details (PDF 65 KB)
• Contents, Introduction, Using this booklet (PDF 53 KB)
• Fall-proofing yourself (PDF 925 KB)
• Fall-proofing your surroundings (PDF 1217 KB)
• Just in case (PDF 698 KB)
• Summary, Contacts, Notes and plans (PDF 108 KB)

If you are having problems accessing the PDF document(s) please email phd.webmaster@health.gov.au for an alternative format or copy to be sent to you.