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Healthy Aging Resources: Preventing Frailty and Falls

Last updated:

September 04, 2025

  • “Physiotherapy for Healthy Aging” 
    Physiotherapy for Healthy Aging | Physiotherapy Canada 
    As the global population ages, promoting healthy aging and increasing health span has become a priority. This article argues that physiotherapists are uniquely positioned to lead this agenda by integrating physical activity promotion into practice—not just for rehabilitation after injury, but as a proactive strategy to prevent chronic conditions, maintain cognitive and physical function, and support long-term well-being in older adults.

  • “Move More, Age Well: Prescribing Physical Activity for Older Adults” 
    Move More, Age Well | CMAJ 
    Physical activity reduces the risk of over 30 chronic conditions and supports independence, cognition, and quality of life in older adults—including those who are frail or at risk of falling. Age or functional impairments should not be seen as barriers to prescribing exercise. Behaviour-change strategies and referrals to physiotherapists can improve adherence and help older adults safely increase activity. 
  • “Healthy and Independent Living for Older Adults: Fall Prevention. How Can Physiotherapy Help?” 
    Fall Prevention | Allied Physiotherapy Health Group 
    This page highlights how physiotherapy helps prevent falls in older adults by improving strength, balance, and mobility. With personalized exercise plans, education, and assistive devices, physiotherapists support safe and independent aging. 
  • “AVOID Frailty – Program for Healthy Aging” 
    AVOID Frailty – Program for Healthy Aging 
    A national initiative designed to help older adults maintain independence by addressing key modifiable factors that contribute to frailty: Activity, Vaccination, Optimization of medications, Interaction (social), and Diet/nutrition. 
  • “A Discourse on Healthy Ageing in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada” 
    Discourse on Healthy Ageing | Taylor & Francis 
    This study explores how older adults in Newfoundland and Labrador experience healthy ageing. It finds that healthy ageing is less about individual effort and more about access to supportive communities and age-friendly, affordable healthcare systems. 
  • “Shifting to Primary Prevention for an Aging Population: A Scoping Review of Health Promotion Initiatives for Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Canada” 
    Scoping Review | PubMed 
    This review maps out Canadian health promotion initiatives for older adults. It highlights the effectiveness of programs combining education and exercise, and the value of social support and technology. However, it notes disparities in access—particularly between urban and rural areas—and calls for more equitable, multifaceted interventions. 
  • “Insight into Functional Decline Assessment in Older Adults: A Physiotherapist’s Perspective” 
    Full Article | ScienceDirect 
    This narrative review explores how physiotherapists conceptualize and assess functional decline in older adults. It emphasizes early, multi-domain assessments before major incidents occur. The Healthy Aging: Seniors’ Mobility Toolkit for Physiotherapists is highlighted as a promising tool, and further research is recommended to improve assessment accuracy. 
  • “Virtual Fall Program Assessment for Frail Canadian Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Examining Equitable Accessibility” 
    Full Article | Age and Ageing (Oxford) 
    This study compares older adults assessed virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic with a pre-pandemic in-person cohort. Though similarly frail, the virtual group showed more use of walking aids, cognitive impairment, and polypharmacy. The findings highlight both the value of virtual care and equity concerns in accessibility for vulnerable populations.  
  • “Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior, but Not Fall History, Is Associated with Balance and Dynamic Gait Performance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study” 
    Fear of Falling and Balance Performance | UTP Publishing 
    This study investigates the relationship between balance confidence, fear of falling (FoF) avoidance behaviour, and high-level balance performance in older adults. Results showed that FoF avoidance behaviour—not fall history—was linked to lower balance and gait performance, as measured by the CB&M and FGA. These findings suggest that clinicians should assess dynamic balance in older adults exhibiting activity avoidance due to FoF, even in the absence of recent falls.  
  • “Education Needs of Canadian Physiotherapists Working with People Living with Dementia: An Online Survey” 
    Education Needs of Canadian Physiotherapists | UTP Publishing 
    This national survey explored the knowledge, confidence, and training of Canadian physiotherapists working with people living with dementia (PLWD). Results showed that while most respondents had some education on dementia, many felt unprepared—especially for managing moderate to severe cases. The study highlights a need for enhanced dementia education both in entry-to-practice training and through continuing professional development, with a focus on behavioural and cognitive symptom strategies. Despite gaps, over 60% reported good job satisfaction in this area of care. 
  • “Development of an Algorithm to Screen for Frailty Using the Clinical Frailty Scale with Postoperative Patients Entering Cardiac Rehabilitation” 
    Screening for Frailty in Cardiac Rehab | UTP Publishing 
    This study aimed to develop and evaluate the feasibility of using a Clinical Frailty Scale–based algorithm (CFS-CR) to screen for frailty in older adults (>65 years) entering cardiac rehabilitation after surgery. Retrospective review of patient charts revealed that insufficient documentation—especially on daily living activities—prevented scoring. The findings emphasize the need for a frailty-specific screening tool integrated into standard CR intake assessments. Prospective research is recommended to validate the CFS-CR’s clinical use.

  • “Pilates Improves Physical Performance and Decreases Risk of Falls in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” 
    Pilates and Fall Risk | PubMed 
    This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of Pilates in reducing fall risk and improving physical performance in adults aged 60 and older. Pilates was found to benefit balance, strength, flexibility, and function, with supervised, well-designed programs being especially effective.