Lighting and contrast
Brighter routes, night lights and contrasting colours that help with orientation and depth perception.
Occupational therapy for older people and falls prevention
Falls risk assessments at home, dementia-friendly advice and practical occupational therapy to help older people across Newcastle and the North East keep living safely and confidently in their own homes.
- Falls risk assessment at home
- Dementia-friendly home advice
- Assistive technology guidance
- Support for worried families
Request a quote
Tell us a little about what you need and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
What we offer
Falls prevention and occupational therapy for older people across the North East
Private Occupational Therapy carries out falls risk assessments at home and provides practical occupational therapy for older people, including those living with dementia, in Newcastle and throughout the North East.
An occupational therapist begins with a conversation with the person, and often their family, then visits at an unhurried pace to watch everyday activities and check the home. A written report sets out prioritised recommendations, and short follow-up sessions help put changes into practice. Visits are led by what the person wants to keep doing, such as cooking their own meals or managing the stairs to bed.
What to expect
- A focus on the person's own goals
- A quote before anything is booked
- A clear report families can act on
- Progress reviewed at follow-up visits
- Practical reassurance for worried relatives
Family concerns
Worried about a parent living alone?
Many enquiries come from sons, daughters and partners who have noticed small changes and are unsure whether to step in.
An independent assessment gives everyone the same clear picture, which can make difficult conversations easier. It also helps when relatives live some distance away and want to know what support is really needed before arranging care or alterations.
Changes families often notice
- A fall, near miss or unexplained bruises
- Holding on to furniture to get around
- Avoiding the bath, shower or stairs
- Going out less than before
- Missed meals or medication
- Forgetfulness or confusion at night
- The house becoming harder to manage
- Anxiety about being left alone
What a falls risk assessment at home includes
The assessment takes place in the person's own home, because that is where everyday risks are easiest to see. The therapist watches everyday movements, asks about any previous falls and looks at the home through the eyes of someone with less steady balance or poorer eyesight.
Movement, balance and routines
Getting out of a chair, turning in the kitchen, reaching into cupboards and stepping into the shower are all observed. Footwear, walking aids and night-time trips to the toilet are discussed, along with fear of falling, which can quietly reduce activity and strength.
Hazards around the home
Lighting, rugs, trailing cables, stair rails, steps outside and the layout of furniture are checked room by room. Anything that may need a medical review, such as dizziness or concerns about medication, is flagged for the GP.
Planning for a fall
Part of the visit covers what would happen if a fall did occur: how to get up safely or summon help, and whether a pendant alarm or fall detector would be sensible.
Dementia and technology
Dementia-friendly homes and assistive technology
For people living with dementia or memory problems, small changes to the home and the right technology can support independence and reduce worry for families.
Signs and familiar cues
Clear labels on doors and cupboards so rooms and belongings are easier to find.
Simplified routines
Steady daily patterns that keep the person doing as much as possible for themselves.
Reminders and prompts
Day clocks, medication dispensers and reminder devices matched to the person's abilities.
Alarms and sensors
Pendant alarms, fall detectors and door or bed sensors where they add genuine reassurance.
Meaningful activity
Ways to keep hobbies, outings and household roles going as needs change.
Goals older people commonly work towards
Goals are personal and practical. Typical examples include bathing confidently again, getting to the shops or a weekly club, carrying on with cooking, moving around safely at night and knowing what to do after a fall.
For families, the benefit is often a shared, prioritised plan and a calmer sense of what comes next. Where larger changes are needed, such as a level-access shower or a stairlift, a full home assessment and adaptations report can follow.
How it works
How visits are arranged for older clients
Families can start the process, as long as the person agrees to the visit. The wider process is set out on how it works.
Enquiry
The person or a relative sends a few details about current concerns, recent falls and any diagnosis.
Initial conversation
A short discussion confirms what the visit should focus on and who would like to be there.
Home visit
The assessment is carried out at a comfortable pace, with family present if the person wishes.
Report and follow-up
A written report sets out priorities, with optional sessions to practise changes and review progress.
Home visits for older people across the North East
Visits take place in people's homes, sheltered housing and care settings across Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham. Video can work for follow-up conversations with relatives who live elsewhere in the country. See areas we cover for details.
Who the report is for
The report is written for the person and their family, and with consent it can be shared with the GP, social care teams, care providers or a housing provider. Where equipment is recommended, Private Occupational Therapy explains what is needed and where it can be obtained, and a specialist equipment and seating assessment can be added for more complex needs.
Paying for an assessment
Most older clients or their families self-fund, and some use direct payments where the funder agrees. The fees and funding page explains the options.
FAQs
Falls prevention and older adults FAQs
My parent is reluctant to accept help. Can you still visit?
Often, yes. Visits focus on what the person wants to keep doing, which tends to feel less like being assessed. It helps to talk through their concerns with them before booking.
Can I arrange an assessment for a relative?
Yes, as long as your relative is happy for the visit to go ahead, or a lawful decision-maker agrees where they lack capacity.
Should we see the GP after a fall first?
If someone is hurt, unwell or has fallen without explanation, seek medical advice first, using 999 in an emergency. Occupational therapy is not an emergency service and works best alongside medical care.
Do you sell alarms or equipment?
No. Recommendations are independent, and the report explains what to look for so families can choose a supplier themselves.
Arrange a falls risk assessment at home
Tell us a little about the person, any recent falls and what is worrying you, and you will receive a quote by email from Private Occupational Therapy.