Do you know what your risk of falling might be? Have you already had a fall and would like to reduce your risk of another fall or having a serious injury from a fall?
Taking a falls risk assessment can tell you what your risk of falling is and why. Five simple tests completed in 30 minutes that assess your ability to see in low light conditions, your leg strength, balance, reaction time and proprioception (your perception or awareness of the position and movement of your body). Once you have your results you can use them to refine your current exercise program, chat to your GP about your results, or start a tailored personalised exercise program such as the Strength for Life program using the information provided. Talk to your trainer/instructor about the results to help to focus on the exercises that matter most to help reduce your risk of falling.
The Fallscreen© risk calculator
The Fallscreen© risk calculator is a single assessment of vision, peripheral sensation, lower limb strength, reaction time and body sway.
A computer software program assess each person’s performance in relation to the normative database complied from large population studies. The program produces a falls risk assessment report for each person which includes the following four components:
- a graph indicating the person’s overall falls risk score,
- a profile of individual test performance results,
- a table indicating individual test performances in relation to age-matched norms,
- a written report which explains the results and makes recommendations and referrals to a health professional or appropriate strength and balance program.
The assessment takes up to 30 minutes to complete, and results are available within one week of the assessment. Assessments are conducted at the Hughes Community Centre and on occasion at licensed Strength for Life provider locations. Please call 02 6282 3777 or email strengthforlife@cotact.org.au
The cost for the assessment is $35 for COTA ACT and/or Seniors Card members and $45 for non-members.
