A major international review has provided clear evidence on which strategies are most effective at preventing falls in aged care facilities and which approaches, when used in isolation, fail to make a significant difference. The study, led by Flinders University and published by the Cochrane Collaboration, analysed data from 104 clinical trials to offer a comprehensive guide for providers and policymakers.
The research found that tailored exercise programmes, vitamin D supplements, and better nutrition are the most successful strategies. However, the review also identified several common interventions that, on their own, did not consistently reduce falls.
What Works: Targeted Exercise and Nutrition
According to the study, effective fall prevention isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. The most successful programmes were those individually tailored to a resident’s needs and delivered with strong support from staff.
Exercise emerged as a key factor. “Our findings show that preventing falls isn’t about a one-size-fits-all solution but there are some simple, easily deployed and targeted ways to make a real difference in reducing falls,” said Dr. Jenni Suen, a co-author of the review. She added that “regular, supervised exercise… reduced falls even in residents with cognitive impairments, like dementia.”
The study also highlighted the importance of nutrition. Researchers found that the addition of vitamin D supplements was helpful in reducing falls, while an increase in dairy servings high in calcium helped strengthen bones, leading to fewer falls and fractures. “By adding more calcium and protein-rich foods like milk, cheese, and yoghurt, aged care homes were able to improve residents’ bone health and stability,” said lead author Dr. Suzanne Dyer.
What Doesn’t Work: Isolated Interventions
The review also sought to understand which programmes were less effective. The findings revealed that several common, stand-alone interventions did not consistently reduce falls.
“As part of our research, we wanted to see what types of programs weren’t working as effectively in preventing falls,” Dr. Dyer explained. The study found that programmes focused on “improving medication use (deprescribing or reviewing prescriptions) and staff training, and changes to care models on their own didn’t consistently reduce falls.”
The research concludes that a multi-faceted approach combining these proven strategies is essential to help older people in care stay safer. “We now have strong evidence that some approaches work better than others,” Dr. Dyer said. “With the right mix of strategies, it’s possible to reduce risks and help older people in care stay safer and more independent.”
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
