You’ve felt it. That split second of uncertainty when you stand up too fast, reach for something on a high shelf, or walk across an uneven surface. Maybe you’ve already fallen once, and now every step feels like a risk.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: falls aren’t inevitable. Your balance can improve at any age, even after 80. With the right exercises and guidance, you can rebuild strength in your legs, retrain your body’s stability systems, and eliminate the hesitation that’s been holding you back.
That means getting back to your garden without worry. Walking your dog again. Reaching into cabinets, going up stairs, and moving through your day without that constant background fear. The goal isn’t just avoiding a fall. It’s getting your freedom back.
We’ve been helping Long Island seniors stay independent for years, with locations across Nassau and Suffolk counties. We’re not a corporate chain. We’re therapists who live and work in your community, and we understand what you’re dealing with.
Suffolk County ranks 5th in New York State for fall-related incidents. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a local health crisis, and it’s exactly why we’ve built our fall prevention programs the way we have: personalized, evidence-based, and designed for real results.
You’ll work with licensed physical therapists who specialize in geriatric care and vestibular rehabilitation. Every treatment plan is built around your specific risk factors, your home environment, and your goals. No cookie-cutter programs. No guessing.
First, we assess your fall risk. That includes testing your balance, gait, strength, and coordination. We also talk through your medical history, medications, and any past falls. This isn’t a quick screening. It’s a full picture of what’s putting you at risk.
From there, we build your program. You might do balance exercises that challenge your stability in safe, controlled ways. You might work on strength training to rebuild muscle in your legs and core. If you have inner ear issues affecting your balance, we use vestibular therapy to retrain your system. If you’re recovering from a stroke or managing Parkinson’s, we adjust everything to fit your condition.
Sessions are one-on-one. You’re not in a group class trying to keep up. Your therapist is right there, adjusting exercises as you progress, answering questions, and making sure you’re doing everything correctly. We also evaluate your home for hazards like loose rugs, poor lighting, or bathroom safety issues, and we’ll give you practical recommendations you can actually use.
Most people see measurable improvements in balance and confidence within a few weeks. The work continues until you feel steady, strong, and ready to manage on your own.
Ready to get started?
You’ll receive a personalized fall prevention plan that includes balance training, strength exercises, and gait work. These aren’t generic senior exercises. They’re tailored to your ability level and updated as you improve.
If you have vertigo, dizziness, or inner ear problems, vestibular rehabilitation is part of the plan. If arthritis or joint pain is limiting your movement, we work around it. If you’ve had a hip fracture or surgery, we help you rebuild safely.
Here’s something worth knowing: in Nassau County, 88% of injury hospitalizations for adults over 65 are from falls. That’s higher than car accidents. On Long Island, one-third of seniors over 65 fall every year. You’re statistically more at risk here than almost anywhere else in New York.
That’s why home safety matters just as much as the exercises. We’ll walk you through modifications that make a difference: grab bars, better lighting, removing tripping hazards, and rearranging furniture. Small changes that significantly reduce your risk.
You’ll also get education on footwear, medication side effects, and how to get up safely if you do fall. The goal is to give you every tool you need to stay independent.
You can see measurable improvements in 4 to 6 weeks if you’re consistent. Research shows that balance exercises reduce fall risk by 30% to 35% when done correctly and regularly. That’s not a small number.
The key is consistency and progression. Your body needs time to rebuild strength, retrain your stability reflexes, and adapt to new movement patterns. In the first few weeks, you’ll likely notice that you feel steadier on your feet, more confident turning your head or reaching for things, and less worried about losing your balance.
Most people continue therapy for 8 to 12 weeks, depending on their starting point and goals. Some need less time. Some need more, especially if they’re managing chronic conditions like Parkinson’s or recovering from a stroke. Your therapist will track your progress with objective tests and adjust your program as you improve. The timeline is based on your results, not a preset schedule.
It’s not too late. In fact, you’re exactly who these programs are designed for. Falling once doubles your risk of falling again, but that risk can be reduced significantly with the right intervention.
After a fall, many people develop a fear of falling that actually increases their risk. You start moving less, avoiding activities, and your muscles weaken. Your balance gets worse. It becomes a cycle. Physical therapy breaks that cycle by rebuilding your strength and confidence in a controlled, safe environment.
We use graded exercises that start where you are and progress gradually. You’re not thrown into difficult balance challenges on day one. You work up to them. Along the way, your therapist helps you address the psychological side too: replacing fear with competence, hesitation with control. Even if you’ve fallen multiple times, even if you’re over 80, your balance can improve. The research backs that up, and we see it happen regularly.
In New York, you can access physical therapy through direct access, which means you don’t always need a referral to start. However, insurance coverage often requires a physician’s order, so it’s worth checking with your provider before your first visit.
If you’ve recently fallen, if you have a chronic condition affecting your balance, or if you’re recovering from surgery or an injury, your doctor will likely support a referral. Many physicians actively recommend fall prevention programs, especially for patients over 65, because the data is clear: therapy works, and it’s far less costly than a hip fracture or hospital stay.
When you call to schedule, we’ll walk you through what your insurance requires and help you get any necessary paperwork in order. If you’re paying out of pocket, we’ll discuss that upfront so there are no surprises. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to get started.
Home exercises are helpful, but they’re not a replacement for professional assessment and supervision, especially if you’re at high risk. The difference comes down to customization, progression, and safety.
A physical therapist evaluates your specific risk factors: muscle weakness, joint problems, inner ear issues, medication side effects, vision changes, and more. They design a program that addresses your unique combination of risks. If you have vertigo, you need vestibular therapy, not just standing on one foot. If you’ve had a stroke, your gait training will look different than someone with arthritis.
Therapists also progress your exercises at the right pace. Too easy, and you won’t improve. Too hard, and you risk injury or another fall. They watch your form, correct compensations, and adjust based on how your body responds. You also get accountability, which matters more than most people realize. It’s easy to skip exercises at home. It’s harder to skip when someone’s expecting you.
Once you’ve completed therapy and built a solid foundation, home exercises become a maintenance tool. But starting there, without guidance, often means you’re either doing the wrong exercises or not challenging yourself enough to see real change.
Most Medicare plans and private insurance policies cover physical therapy for fall prevention, especially if you have a documented fall history or a condition that affects balance. Coverage varies by plan, so it’s important to verify your specific benefits before starting.
Medicare Part B typically covers physical therapy when it’s medically necessary and prescribed by a physician. If you’ve fallen, if you have Parkinson’s, arthritis, osteoporosis, a history of stroke, or vertigo, you’ll likely meet the criteria. Many Medicare Advantage plans also cover fall prevention programs as part of their preventive care benefits.
For private insurance, coverage depends on your plan’s physical therapy benefits. Some plans require a copay per visit. Some have a deductible. Some limit the number of visits per year. We recommend calling your insurance company and asking specifically about coverage for fall prevention or balance therapy with a physical therapist.
When you contact us, we’ll help you understand what to ask and what information to gather. We want you to know what you’re responsible for before you walk in the door. No surprises, no hidden costs.
Your first visit is an evaluation. Plan for about 60 minutes. You’ll meet with a licensed physical therapist who will review your medical history, ask about any falls or near-falls you’ve had, and discuss your current activity level and goals.
Then comes the physical assessment. Your therapist will test your balance using standardized measures like the Berg Balance Scale or Timed Up and Go test. They’ll watch how you walk, how you turn, how you stand from a seated position. They’ll check your strength, flexibility, and coordination. If dizziness or vertigo is part of the picture, they may do specific vestibular tests.
This isn’t pass or fail. It’s information. The goal is to identify exactly where your risk factors are so your treatment plan can address them. After the evaluation, your therapist will explain what they found, what it means for your fall risk, and what the treatment plan will look like. You’ll have time to ask questions, talk through concerns, and make sure you’re comfortable moving forward.
If you’re cleared to start therapy that day, you might do a few introductory exercises. If not, you’ll schedule your next session and leave with a clear understanding of what’s ahead. Everything is explained in plain language. No medical jargon. No assumptions that you already know how this works.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Bridgehampton
