Dizziness, Balance and Falls Assessment

Why Falls and Dizziness Deserve Specialist Assessment

Falls are one of the most common and serious health risks for older adults. Every year, more than 1 in 3 people over 65 have a fall [1]. A single fall can lead to injury, a loss of confidence, reduced activity, and a cycle of increasing frailty and dependence.

But falls rarely come down to one thing. They usually reflect several factors acting together - medication, blood pressure, neurological function, muscle weakness, balance and the home environment. National guidance recommends assessing all of these together rather than in isolation [2].

Persistent dizziness and unsteadiness work the same way. The cause can be vestibular (inner-ear), neurological, cardiovascular, or a side effect of medication - and identifying the right one is what makes treatment effective. Some dizziness has a cardiac cause; if that is more likely for you, our cardiology team assesses it separately, and you can read more on our dizziness (cardiac causes) page.

This assessment sits within our wider Geriatric and Memory service in Sheffield, and takes the same whole-person view.

What the Assessment Covers

Your consultation is led by a geriatric medicine consultant and typically includes:

• A detailed history of your falls or dizziness - how often, the circumstances, any warning signs and the consequences
• Assessment of your gait and balance using validated clinical tools
• Postural blood pressure measurement, to check for orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure on standing) - a common and often overlooked cause of dizziness and falls
• A neurological examination relevant to balance and falls
• A cardiovascular assessment; where a heart-related cause is suspected, we may arrange 24-hour blood pressure monitoring
• A comprehensive medication review - many everyday medicines raise fall risk, including blood pressure drugs, sedatives, antidepressants and bladder medications
• A bone health review, to gauge your fracture risk should a future fall occur
• A discussion of your home environment and practical ways to reduce risk

Because balance, falls and bone strength are closely linked, we may recommend an osteoporosis and fracture-risk assessment alongside this review. A written report summarising the findings and recommendations is provided to you and, with your consent, your GP.

Who Should Consider an Assessment?

This assessment is suitable for older adults experiencing:

• Recurrent falls - whether or not injury has occurred
• A fear of falling that is limiting activity and independence
• Persistent dizziness or light-headedness, particularly on standing
• Vertigo, or a sensation that the room is spinning
• Unsteadiness when walking, especially in unfamiliar places
• A loss of confidence with mobility following a fall

If falls or unsteadiness sit alongside other health concerns - memory, medication, mood or frailty - a broader Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment may be the better starting point, and your consultant can advise.

What to Expect and Your Falls-Prevention Plan

Before your appointment. It helps to note down when your falls or dizzy spells happen, and to bring a list of your current medications. There is no special preparation, and no GP referral needed.

During your appointment. Your consultant works through your history and the assessments above at an unhurried pace. Most people find the process straightforward - it is thorough rather than uncomfortable.

Afterwards. You receive a clear, written falls-prevention plan setting out the contributing factors we found and what to do about them. That might include adjusting medication, treating low standing blood pressure, exercises to build strength and balance, bone-health steps, or simple changes at home. Where a specific cause needs further investigation, we arrange the right next step and, with your consent, share the report with your GP.

The aim is practical: fewer falls, steadier days, and the confidence to stay active and independent.

Why Choose LivingCare for a Falls and Dizziness Assessment in Sheffield

Our falls and dizziness assessment is led by consultant geriatricians at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield - specialists in the interacting problems that affect older adults. Rather than looking at one cause in isolation, they take a whole-person view, which is what makes a falls-prevention plan work.

You get fast, consultant-led access with no GP referral needed, self-pay, and a clear report for you and, with your consent, your GP. Exceptional care, without the wait.

Book your assessment in Sheffield

References

1. NHS England - Frailty resources: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/clinical-policy/older-people/frailty/frailty-resources/
2. NICE NG249 - Falls: assessment and prevention in older people and in people 50 and over at higher risk: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng249