Strength where it counts
Work your legs and hips for getting out of chairs and up steps. We use light weights, bands or your own body weight, and bring the equipment.
Exercise physiologist for falls prevention in Sydney
Falls prevention exercise at home
Work on the strength and balance you need to move around your home and get out the front door.
Maybe you've had a fall or a near miss on the back step. Perhaps you now hold the furniture as you walk through the house. We come to you, see how you move and plan exercise around the things you want to keep doing.
Exercise physiology and physiotherapy are on the Support at Home service list. We also see private clients.
A free 15-minute phone call about what's getting harder and whether your funding may cover sessions.
Practise in your own home
We bring the equipment and practise in the rooms you use every day.
130+ families
More than 130 families across Sydney have worked with our team on strength, balance and movement.
Support at Home or private
No GP referral is needed. We'll explain how your funding may cover sessions.
Everyday movements where strength and balance count
Around half of falls happen in or around the home, during ordinary movements. We practise the movements behind the moments that worry you.
Getting up and sitting down
Practise rising from an armchair, the toilet or the edge of your bed, without rocking or pulling on furniture.
Walking and turning indoors
Work on turning in the kitchen, stepping into the shower and walking down the hallway at night with more control.
Steps, kerbs and the trip outside
Practise the front steps, the kerb outside the shops and the walk to your letterbox.
How we practise strength and balance at home
A large Cochrane review found that exercise programs can reduce how often older people living at home fall. The clearest results were for balance and functional exercise, with probable benefit when combined with strength work. That's what we focus on.
No program can make falls impossible. Exercise can give your legs and balance more to work with and may help you feel more sure of yourself as you move.
Balance practice with support close by
Practise standing, stepping and turning beside the kitchen bench or a sturdy chair. We make the exercises harder as you're ready.
Getting down and back up
When it's safe for you, we practise getting down to the floor and back up using a chair. We also plan what you'd do if you couldn't get up.
A short routine between visits
We'll write down a few exercises that fit your day, perhaps while the kettle boils, so you or your family can follow them.
Worried about another fall? We start safely
A fall can shake your confidence, even if you aren't hurt. Worry may lead you to do less, which can leave your legs weaker and balance poorer. We take that worry seriously and start at a level that feels safe to you.
I'm scared I'll fall while exercising
We can start seated or with you holding a stable surface, while your clinician stays close. Harder exercises come when you're ready.
I think I'm too old to get stronger
It's not too late to practise strength and balance. We choose a starting level that matches how you move today, even if you mostly exercise from a chair.
My family worries more than I do
Your son or daughter can join the first call or a session. Your goals lead, and we'll explain what we're working on so you can stay involved.
I don't want my home turned upside down
We work with the space you have. If we spot a trip hazard, such as a loose mat or dark hallway, we'll mention it and talk it through. Any changes are your choice.
A practical plan for strength and balance in 3 steps
We check how you're moving now, talk about what you want to keep doing and agree on an exercise plan to work through together at each visit.
Tell us what's happened
Tell us about any falls or near misses, what's getting harder and how your funding works. If we're a good fit, we'll arrange a first home visit.
Assess at home and agree goals
We check your strength, balance and walking at home, look at the chairs, steps and paths you use, and agree on goals with you.
Practise and build each visit
Each visit follows your plan. We make exercises harder as you're ready and check progress against everyday tasks, such as your front steps or the walk to your letterbox.
Your safety after a fall and when to contact your GP
Exercise physiology doesn't replace your GP. If you've had a fall, it's worth checking with your doctor even if you feel fine. A fall can point to a new health problem or a side effect of medicines. You don't need a GP referral to start with us. With your permission, we can keep your GP up to date.
We stop and suggest you see your GP, or call 000 in an emergency, if you have chest pain, new dizziness or fainting, sudden weakness, or a fall with pain or injury. Before your first session, it helps to share:
Any falls or near misses in the past year, and what happened- Your medicines, including new ones or recent dose changes
- Health conditions, recent surgery and any exercise advice from your doctor
- The walking aid you use, and whether you have a personal alarm
- Any trouble with dizziness, eyesight or your feet
- Who else is involved, such as your Support at Home provider or an occupational therapist
Falls prevention support across Sydney
Drift Health has worked across Sydney for more than 8 years. More than 130 families have worked with our exercise physiologists and physiotherapists.
We work with older people at home and in their local community. We start with how you move now, focus on what you want to keep doing and build from there, one session at a time.
Falls prevention visits in your home across Sydney
We visit at home so you can practise on your own floors, steps and chairs. Tell us your suburb and the times that suit you, and we'll check availability.
South West Sydney
Liverpool, Fairfield, Campbelltown and surrounding suburbs
Western Sydney
Blacktown, Parramatta, Penrith and surrounding suburbs
Inner West
Ashfield, Marrickville, Burwood and surrounding suburbs
CBD & inner city
Sydney CBD and nearby suburbs
The Hills & North West
Castle Hill, Kellyville and surrounding suburbs
South Sydney
Miranda, Cronulla, Sutherland and surrounding suburbs
A note from Victor
Why we'd rather see you at home than in a gym
I'm Victor, Director and Head Exercise Physiologist at Drift Health. If you're worried about falling, it can help to practise where it happens: by your armchair, in the hallway or on the back step.
We start with what you want to keep doing, whether that's getting to the shops, pottering in the garden or minding the grandkids. Then we work on the strength and balance behind it. If your son or daughter is helping you look into this, I'm happy to talk with them too.
Support at Home for falls prevention exercise
Support at Home began on 1 November 2025 and replaced Home Care Packages. Exercise physiology and physiotherapy are listed as allied health services. How much you can use depends on your aged care assessment and budget.
No contribution for clinical supports
Allied health is a clinical support. The government pays the full price, so you don't pay a contribution for these sessions. Your provider confirms how they fit your budget.
You keep your provider
You stay with your current Support at Home provider. We ask them to bring Drift Health in as an associated provider. It's their decision, and we'll talk it through with you.
No Support at Home yet?
You can see us privately. To apply for Support at Home, you'll need an aged care assessment through My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
On the NDIS?
If you were under 65 when you joined the NDIS, you may be able to use your NDIS funding. We work with self-managed and plan-managed participants.
Meet your falls prevention exercise team
Our exercise physiologists lead most falls prevention work. A physiotherapist may join when pain, a recent injury or surgery needs their input. We'll match you with a clinician who suits your goals and area.
Victor
Director & Head Exercise Physiologist
Jennifer
Exercise Physiologist
Michel
Exercise Physiologist
Conan
Exercise Physiologist
Tony
Exercise Physiologist
Laura
Exercise Physiologist
Joey
Physiotherapist
Lucas
Physiotherapist
Falls prevention: answers to common questions
Can exercise stop me from ever falling?
No one can promise that. Research shows exercise programs, especially those with balance and everyday movement practice, can reduce how often older people fall. We work on the strength and balance behind your daily tasks and will be honest about what we see.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You, a family member, your provider or a support coordinator can contact us directly. After a recent fall, we'd still encourage you to see your GP. With your permission, we can share updates with them.
How does Support at Home pay for sessions?
You don't pay a contribution for clinical supports under Support at Home. How much you can use depends on your assessment and budget. You stay with your provider, and we ask them to bring us in as an associated provider.
Can my son or daughter organise this for me?
Yes. Adult children often make the first call. We'll also want to hear from you, because your goals shape the plan. Family are welcome at sessions if you'd like them there.
Will you show me how to get up after a fall?
If it's safe for you, yes. We'll practise getting down and back up using a sturdy chair, then talk through what to do if you can't get up, such as keeping a phone within reach and knowing who to call.
What happens in a session, and how soon can we start?
Sessions usually last 60 minutes at home. We'll warm up, practise strength and balance with support close by, then finish with what to keep doing before next time. We bring the equipment. Most people can start within 7 days of the first call.
What if I use a walker or walking stick?
That's fine. We'll include your walking aid in the plan. If another aid or an occupational therapist review may help, we'll suggest you raise it with your GP or Support at Home provider.
More support for balance, arthritis and joint recovery
If feeling wobbly or dizzy is the bigger worry, or you're managing arthritis or a new joint, these pages explain how we may help.
Talk with us about feeling safer on your feet
Tell us what happened and what you'd like to keep doing. We'll talk about whether exercise may help and how Support at Home funding could cover sessions.
- Talk through falls, near misses or worries you have
- Find out how Support at Home or private sessions may work
- Ask about home visits in your suburb and how soon you may be able to start
A free 15-minute phone call about what's getting harder and whether your funding may cover sessions.