As reported by 7NEWS in October 2025, beloved actor Michael Caton has joined a national falls prevention alliance to call for government action on Australia’s “falls epidemic,” which he says kills more people than road accidents and is reported to cost the healthcare system billions annually.
He is advocating for a public awareness campaign, similar to “Slip, Slop, Slap“, and for increased funding for falls prevention education, community-based exercise programs, and coordinated services. Caton was motivated to speak out after a personal fall and is urging the public to contact their local representatives to hold the government accountable.
Australia has the research and the know-how to prevent a significant number of falls in older adults — but reportedly not a national plan. Caton, the Falls Prevention Alliance Australia and others are urging the government to invest in prevention and lead the way with a National Action Plan that includes measurable targets to reduce falls.
“[…] one of the nation’s deadliest and most neglected health crises: falls among older people.
He [Michael Caton] joins a major new push from experts and community leaders to launch Australia’s first national falls prevention alliance.
Every day, 17 Australians die and 400 are hospitalised because of falls, costing the health system $3 billion a year.“
— Excerpt from 7NEWS article – Published on 26 Oct 2025
Michael Caton, 82, who has had a 40+ year acting career, who starred in shows including Packed to the Rafters and the iconic Australian movie The Castle, told 7NEWS he joined the campaign after suffering falls himself. This has helped put a very real face to a crisis affecting thousands of Australian families every day.
“My first fall was about 18 months ago … it came as a bit of a shock because it was a vertigo thing,” he said. “But I’ve learned that if I feel it coming, I just take a knee — it’s hard to hurt yourself badly if you’re already at knee level.”
— Quote from Michael Caton (published in: 7NEWS article 2025)
The scale is confronting. Falls are purported to be amongst the leading cause of injury hospitalisations in Australia and the leading cause of injury deaths. It is also purported that health system spending linked to falls, is estimated at around $3 billion annually. [The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) website indicates this figure may be even higher — see this article.]
The newly launched Falls Prevention Alliance Australia is urging governments to adopt a National Action Plan with measurable targets to reduce deaths and injuries from falls.
“Experts at the University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) have joined forces with former NSW Premier The Hon Bob Carr, actor Michael Caton and more than 30 community organisations, health professionals and researchers, to launch Australia’s first national falls prevention alliance.”
— Except from the University of Sydney website
For decades, Australia has led the world in falls prevention research and evidence-based strategies — yet there apparently is still no national plan to protect older Australians from one of the most preventable causes of injury and death.
Falls Prevention Alliance Australia is calling on the government to take decisive action: invest in fall prevention and deliver a National Action Plan with measurable goals and accountability.
You can watch the 7NEWS segment with Michael Caton below:
What this means for older Australians and their families
Caton’s story resonates because falls rarely happen in hospitals. Most occur in and around the home, often when someone is alone or out of reach. Timely help is critical. National advocates are urging community awareness and practical, home-first solutions that reduce the number of falls, reduce the time on the floor (if a fall occurs) and speeds up response times.
Practical steps you can take today
Start with simple prevention habits: remove trip hazards, add brighter lighting, wear supportive footwear, and speak with a GP or Physiotherapist about balance and strength programs guided by the updated national Falls Guidelines.
Also, consider the best method to call for help fast if a fall does happen.
How APERS personal safety devices support fast rapid response
At APERS we provide personal safety technology that helps older Australians live independently with confidence.
- APERS Freedom Friend personal alarm: This is a lightweight personal alert SOS pendant for use at home or out and about. With one press, it connects to our 24/7 monitoring team so help can be organised quickly. Some customers choose models with automatic fall detection and GPS, so we can locate the wearer and talk through the pendant.
- APERS Home Companion medical alert unit: An in-home base unit system with one or more personal alert pendants, combined with support from our 24/7 Monitoring Centre (including two-way voice communication), so assistance can be raised from anywhere around the house and garden.
These device options are built to do their job very well; allowing you and/or your loved-ones to get FAST help when it matters.
Our APERS systems and devices complement home modifications and exercise programs by closing the critical gap between a fall and a response. This aligns with what advocates like Caton are calling for: practical, immediate actions that reduce the harm from falls while broader policy work progresses.
Why speed matters: every day, advocates estimate that 17 Australians die and about 400 are hospitalised due to falls. By dramatically reducing the time to receive assistance after a fall can reduce complications and improve outcomes.
Here is a quick home checklist:
- Clear walkways and secure rugs
- Install grab rails in bathrooms and on stairs
- Keep frequently used items within easy reach
- Schedule a medication review with your GP
- Do balance and strength exercises recommended by a clinician
- Utilise an APERS Freedom Friend or Home Companion so help is always within reach
Ready to talk through options?
If Michael Caton’s message has you thinking about a parent, partner, loved-one, yourself, friend, family member or neighbour, we can help you choose the right APERS personal alarm for their lifestyle and budget. Our team will walk you through the easy setup process, everyday use, and what happens during an emergency activation, step by step. We will also answer any questions you may have.
We have assisted 1,000’s of Australians so far. Some customer testimonials are here. Our mission is to play our part in helping keep Australians safe. To contact us, phone us on 1300 852 148 or fill out our enquiry form.
Let’s make home feel safer today.
Information Sources/ References:
- https://7news.com.au/news/beloved-actor-michael-caton-reveals-serious-fall-and-calls-for-urgent-action-on-epidemic-c-20475481
- https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/falls
- https://www.fallspreventionalliance.org.au/
- https://www.fallspreventionalliance.org.au/post/7news-heeds-the-call-for-fall-prevention
- https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2025/10/21/action-needed-on-falls-health-experts-politicians-and-much-loved-actor-join-forces-to-demand-change.html
- https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2025/10/new-national-alliance-calls-for-urgent-action-on-falls-prevention
