Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become thin, weak and fragile. It occurs when bones lose minerals (such as calcium) faster than the body can replace them. For people with osteoporosis, fracture risk increases with each additional fall. In 2018–19, an estimated $1.2 billion or 29% of expenditure for falls was attributed to low bone mineral density, representing 1.9% of total health system expenditure.
Quality of life can be severely compromised for people with osteoporosis, particularly if they fall and sustain a fracture.
What do the Australian Falls Guidelines say?
In June 2025, the Preventing Falls and Harm from Falls in Older People: Best Practice Guidelines for Community Care in Australia were updated with clear, evidencebased recommendations to support older adults with osteoporosis.
People working with older adults should review the Falls Guidelines to explore how they can begin implementing the recommendations and good practice points related to osteoporosis and falls.
Key recommendations for osteoporosis management:
- Osteoporosis medicines: facilitate access to prescribed osteoporosis medicines for older people with diagnosed osteoporosis or a history of minimal trauma fractures unless contraindicated.
- Facilitate access to an osteoporosis assessment for all older people. Do not wait for a fracture to check for osteoporosis.
- Develop strategies for strengthening and protecting the older person’s bones to reduce bone injuries from falls. This includes improving muscle strength, optimising functional capacity and improving the safety of the older person’s environment.
- For older people who are at risk of falls or who have sustained a minimal trauma fracture, facilitate access to a medical practitioner for osteoporosis treatment.
- For older people with a history of recurrent falls, facilitate access to a bone mineral densitometry assessment / Dual Energy X-Ray (DXA) scan to identify possible osteoporosis.
- For older people who have difficulties following the correct and safe manner of taking medications such as oral bisphosphonates, facilitate access to a medical practitioner to assess the appropriateness of a long-acting injectable medicine for the treatment of osteoporosis.
- For older people who are using medicines to treat osteoporosis, facilitate access to co-prescribed vitamin D with calcium, as directed by a medical practitioner.
- Encourage bone health management in younger age groups by providing information and education about a life course approach to bone density management.
Preventing falls is a team effort
A multidisciplinary approach helps older adults stay independent and reduce the risk of falls. If you notice signs of osteoporosis, refer older adults for an osteoporosis assessment.