A new research partnership is helping older people from multicultural communities build strength, improve balance and reduce the risk of falls
We all want to stay healthy and independent as we get older. But falls are one of the biggest health risks facing older Australians.
One in three people over the age of 65 experiences a fall each year. Falls can lead to injuries, hospital stays, loss of confidence and reduced independence.
The good news is that regular balance and strength exercises can significantly reduce the risk.
However, many older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are not getting enough physical activity to help protect against falls.
The MOVE Together: Reduce Falls team wants to change that. Led by Professor Cathy Said from the University of Melbourne and Western Health, the project is working with multicultural communities to develop exercise programs and resources that are accessible, culturally appropriate and easy to use.
ECCV has partnered with the research team to help shape the program and ensure community voices are at the centre of the work.
The project has involved close collaboration with older people from multicultural communities, health professionals and community representatives.
Together, they have developed translated exercise resources, including videos and written materials in community languages.
Rosa Cursio-Barcham, a consumer representative from the Italian community, has been involved since the beginning of the project.
“By collaborating with researchers, health professionals and people over 65 years of age from CALD communities, we have developed a program which includes documents and videos about exercise translated into their own language,” Rosa says.
“We hope this will encourage older adults from CALD communities to do more exercises to improve their stability and strength, which will reduce their risk of falls.”
The project is currently testing the program to see how effective it is in helping older people stay active and independent.
Read this and other seniors’ stories
in the Winter 2026 edition of ECCV’s
eMagazine, Multicultural Ageing.
Why falls prevention matters
Falls can affect much more than physical health.
After a fall, many older people become fearful of moving around or exercising, which can reduce confidence and increase social isolation.
This can be especially challenging for multicultural seniors who may already face barriers such as language difficulties, limited access to culturally appropriate programs, or lack of transport.
Research shows that regular movement helps people maintain balance and coordination, muscle strength, confidence in daily activities and independence at home and in the community.
Even small amounts of regular activity can make a difference.
So far, the MOVE Together: Reduce Falls project has worked with Italian, Chinese and Arabic-speaking communities.
The team is now expanding to work with Vietnamese and Greek communities. If the program proves successful, researchers hope future funding will allow the project to grow into more multicultural groups across Victoria.
Professor Said says working directly with communities has been central to the project’s success:
“Programs are much more effective when people feel represented and included. We want older people from all backgrounds to have access to information and support that feels relevant to them.”
Interested in the project?
Please contact the MOVE Together: Reduce Falls Team.
Contact person: Hannah Sharma
Phone: 0478489315
Email: move-together@unimelb.edu.au