Falls Month Interview with Prof. Emer. Lindy Clemson & Prof. Lynette Mackenzie

Our Senior Project Officer Christina Wyatt spoke with two leading falls prevention researchers from the University of Sydney as part of April Falls Month. Professor Emeritus Lindy Clemson and Professor Lynette Mackenzie are prominent in the field, and strong advocates for the role and importance of occupational therapy in falls prevention. The group discusses their recent research, common misconceptions about falls, and practical tips clinicians can build into their practice to ensure falls are being accounted for.

Read our OT Blog article, Occupational therapy interventions can reduce falls for those at risk – Cochrane review results, to learn more about Prof. Emer. Lindy Clemson's Cochrane Review, published in March 2023. 

Useful Links

• Falls Prevention Online – offers a range of products tailored to both allied health clinicians and GPs including evidence based clinical and consumer resources, clinical courses and assessment/treatment tools.

• Includes a course module for occupational therapists: Home & Community Safety. The website also includes free downloadable resources including the Westmead Home Safety Assessment (Long and Short forms), The Falls Behavioural Scale, The Westmead Schema – a framework for conducting an evidence based fall prevention home visit, Strategies check list, and Action Plan/Recommendations template.
• The Lifestyle-Integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program is planned to have an online course module by next year

• Home Fast – a free self-report falls screening tool for older people to work out their risk and access advice about reducing their risk. Also offers access to a validated Falls Risk Assessment tool for allied health professionals (registration required). The HOME FAST assessment manual is available for OTs

• The Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program – one on one fall prevention program that reduces the risk of falls by integrating balance and strength activities into regular daily tasks. Trainer manual and Participant manual available from Sydney University Press along with downloadable worksheets

• Stepping On Program – group-based program addressing key factors related to falls including home safety, strength and balance, footwear, vision, medications and more. Training is offered by Megan Swann - see website for more details. The manual is available from Sydney University Press

• Staying Power - tips and tools to keep you on your feet. An easy read for clients and relatives about fall prevention strategies (based on the Stepping On program content).
• You may also wish to explore the resources for the HARP Home Hazard Removal Program by Prof Susy Stark, Washington University
• WHO Fact Sheet on Falls
• NSW Clinical Excellence Commission Handouts for clients and carers