What are the indications for referring an older patient to a falls prevention service?

Older patients should be referred to a falls prevention service if they have had two or more falls in the last 12 months, or if they present for medical attention following a fall, or if they cannot perform, or perform poorly on, the Timed Up & Go test and/or the Turn 180° test ¹.

Additionally, those with gait and balance deficits, or who demonstrate abnormalities during assessment, should be considered for referral for a multifactorial falls risk assessment and subsequent intervention ¹,²,³.