Honouring International Day of Persons with Disabilities and Promoting Functional Mobility
On 3 December, we observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a reminder that mobility, independence, and inclusion were fundamental rights for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
At Healthstin Belmont, we believe in supporting safe movement at home for all, especially for people living with disabilities, older adults, carers, and educators. That was why we shared expert physiotherapist tips for the home, helping individuals move confidently and safely in their day to day environments.
Why Home Mobility Matters Especially for Those with Disability
Living with a disability often brings extra challenges to movement in balance, strength, coordination, or endurance. These challenges can make home exercise safety critical, as the risk of falls or injury rises when everyday tasks become physically demanding.
Falls are not a minor issue in Australia. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), falls cause a significant number of hospitalisations. In 2023-24, there were 248,211 hospitalisations from falls, representing 43% of all injury related hospital admissions.
Among older Australians (65+), falls are among the most common causes of hospitalisation, and over half of those hospitalisations occur in the home.
These statistics underline how essential injury prevention in daily living is, especially for parents, carers, teachers, and GPs who support people with functional limitations or movement difficulties.
Physiotherapist Tips You Can Do at Home: Safe, Functional Movement Strategies
Here are some practical, evidence based safe mobility techniques and fall prevention strategies you can use at home, whether you're caring for someone, planning accessible movement, or recovering from injury.
1. Build Strength & Stability
- Focus on functional movement at home by doing simple strength exercises like sit to stands, heel raises, and mini squats (with support if needed).
- Use a stable chair or countertop for support, especially for those with balance challenges.
- Strengthening lower limbs and core improves base of support, reducing the risk of losing balance.
2. Improve Balance & Coordination
- Practice home mobility exercises such as standing on one foot (holding for 10 – 15 seconds), or heel to toe walking along a line.
- Use safe home movement aids like grab rails, non slip mats, or stable furniture.
- Incorporate dual task exercises (e.g., balancing while doing a simple cognitive task) to mimic real life demands.
3. Keep Flexibility & Mobility
- Stretch regularly, gentle calf, hip, and ankle stretches help maintain range.
- Use seated or supported exercises for those who need them, such as seated leg lifts or assisted knee raises.
- Encourage functional movement at home, like reaching overhead (with care), sidestepping, or turning to mimic everyday movements.
4. Daily Checks & Environmental Adjustments
- Assess the home for tripping hazards: loose rugs, cluttered walkways, and poor lighting.
- Install rails or grab bars in high risk areas such as bathrooms, hallways, or near steps.
- Encourage safe mobility techniques by planning a route, keeping items within reach, and wearing supportive, non slip footwear.
5. Routine & Consistency
- Create a simple daily home exercise safety routine, just 10-15 minutes of strength, balance, and flexibility work can make a big difference.
- User reminders or habit cues: for example, do balance exercises while brushing your teeth, or strength exercises during TV ad breaks.
- Tracking progress by keeping a movement log can help carers, GPs, and physiotherapists monitor improvements and adjust plans.
How Healthstin Belmont Helps with Home Movement
At Healthstin Belmont, our qualified physiotherapists can provide exercise guidance and physical therapy at home. We support NDIS participants, ageing carers, and families to create safe, personalised movement plans. Our goal is to reduce fall risk, improve functional independence, and boost confidence in daily living.
When you work with us, you'll benefit from:
- A functional movement assessment tailored to your home environment
- Home focused programmes to strengthen, stabilise, and mobilise safely
- Education on fall prevention strategies specific to the individual's needs
- Regular reviews and adjustments to keep your plan effective and realistic
Take Action
We encourage you to consider taking a step toward safer, stronger movement at home.
Whether you're a parent, carer, teacher, or GP, here’s how to begin:
- Call us on 1300 090 931 to speak with our Belmont team about a home mobility plan.
- Complete and submit a Referral Form to involve our physiotherapists in the care journey.
- Book a Free NDIS Consultation to learn how our home mobility exercises can be tailored to your daily life.
Moving Forward with Confidence
At Healthstin Belmont, we deeply value the independence and dignity of every individual, no matter their mobility challenges. By investing just a little time into safe home movement, you can dramatically reduce the risk of falls, improve function, and enhance quality of life. Let’s commit to a movement that matters, together.
We encourage you to experience our all inclusive support firsthand. Visit our Belmont centre today to see our fully equipped gym, Hydrotherapy pool, and private clinic spaces, and speak with our team about starting your safe movement journey!
*Disclaimer: Results vary based on individual goals, health needs, and condition severity. Many participants report improvements within 4-6 weeks, depending on their personalised programme and consistency.