Falls Prevention Exercises for the Elderly: A Physiotherapist's Guide (2026)

One in three adults over 65 — and half of those over 80 — will have a fall this year. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital admission in older adults, and a single fall can quietly erode confidence, independence and mobility. The good news: falls are not an inevitable part of ageing. Research consistently shows that targeted **strength and balance exercise reduces fall risk by around 20–40%** — more than any other single intervention. This guide covers the exact exercises our physiotherapists use with clients across London and Kent, how often to do them, and the warning signs that mean it's time to get professional support. ## Why older adults fall Falls rarely have a single cause. They usually happen when several small risk factors combine: - **Leg weakness** — particular