When 82-year-old Michael Caton feels vertigo creeping in, he doesn’t panic—he ‘takes a knee.’
It’s a simple, almost instinctive move that’s saved him from serious injury.
Now, the beloved star of The Castle and Packed to the Rafters is turning his personal lesson into a national mission that could save thousands of lives.
Falls are quietly devastating Australian lives every day—costing the health system $3 billion a year and claiming 17 lives daily.
More than 400 older Australians are hospitalised every single day due to fall-related injuries, making it one of the nation’s deadliest and most preventable health crises.
Yet, until recently, there was no coordinated national plan to address it.
That changed on 21 October 2025, when experts from the University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney and Neuroscience Research Australia joined forces with Michael Caton, former NSW Premier Bob Carr, and over 30 community organisations to launch the country’s first-ever national falls prevention alliance.
The statistics that shocked a nation
The scale of the problem is staggering.
In 2022–23, there were 238,055 hospitalisations caused by falls, accounting for 43.4 per cent of all injury-related hospital admissions.
By 2024, the number of new claims had risen to 826,459, with costs surging to $2.54 billion.
Older Australians, particularly those aged 65 and above, had the highest rate of deaths due to fall-related injuries in 2021–22, with a crude rate of 138.3 per 100,000 population.
Those aged 95 and older faced an even grimmer reality—recording a hospitalisation rate of 17,200 per 100,000 people.
'It kills more people than road accidents, cancer, everything. And we do nothing about it.'
As Caton bluntly states, falls kill more people than road accidents but receive only a fraction of the attention or funding.
A personal battle becomes a national mission
Caton’s involvement isn’t a celebrity gimmick—it’s personal.
About 18 months ago, he suffered a vertigo-related fall that served as his wake-up call.
'My first fall was about 18 months ago... it came as a bit of a shock because it was a vertigo thing,' Caton 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.'
That simple act has since become symbolic of a broader message—falls are not inevitable with age, and small changes can make a life-saving difference.
The heartbreaking reality behind the movement
Independent MP Allegra Spender also joined the campaign after her mother, fashion icon Carla Zampatti, died from injuries sustained in a fall at a Sydney charity event in 2021.
'It was a terrible shock,' Spender said. 'You go from having a family member to suddenly everything's changed.'
Zampatti was 78—fit, stylish, and active—when she tragically passed away.
Her story underscores the message that falls can affect anyone, regardless of how healthy or careful they are.
Australia’s research paradox
Despite decades of world-leading research in falls prevention, Australia has never had a national plan to implement it.
Professor Kim Delbaere from UNSW summed it up best: 'Australia is a world leader in falls prevention research, but we are lacking a strong coordinated approach which could help to reduce falls.'
Experts say we already have the knowledge, strategies, and evidence to save lives—but lack the same political commitment that made public health campaigns like Slip, Slop, Slap so successful.
What the Falls Prevention Alliance Australia wants from government
- A National Falls Action Plan modelled on the 2024 Dementia National Action Plan
- Increased funding for intervention programs and Medicare rebates
- A national public health campaign similar to skin cancer and smoking prevention
- Measurable reduction targets coordinated across all states and territories
Breaking the stigma of ageing
David Barnes from the Rotary South Pacific Falls Prevention Project said that 'one in three older Aussies have a fall every year which have a big impact on older people, their families, and the public health system.'
Caton wants to change the mindset that growing older automatically means decline.
'People think that because you're over 60, that's just the way things are,' he said. 'But it doesn't have to be. You can live a full life if you know what you're dealing with.'
The fear of falling can create a vicious cycle—less movement leads to weaker muscles, which increases the risk even more.
The psychological toll includes anxiety, reduced social engagement, and depression.
Simple steps that save lives
While waiting for government leadership, experts recommend simple, proven prevention strategies:
Exercise for strength and balance, including programs like tai chi.
Home safety assessments to remove trip hazards and improve lighting.
Regular eye tests and medication reviews to prevent dizziness or vision-related falls.
And of course, Caton’s now-famous tactic—the ‘take a knee’ strategy when feeling unsteady.
A call for political action
Caton is urging Australians to demand action.
He's called on the public to 'get onto your local member and tell them to get off their backsides and start a campaign like Slip, Slop, Slap.'
The alliance is pushing for the same level of national coordination and urgency shown in the 2024 National Dementia Action Plan.
The coalition includes leading universities such as Sydney, UNSW, and Melbourne, along with NeuRA, Rotary, the Australian Physiotherapy Association, and the Council on the Ageing NSW.
Why this matters now
Australia’s population is ageing rapidly, and experts warn the falls crisis will escalate without swift intervention.
Around 30 per cent of adults over 65 experience at least one fall per year—a figure expected to climb as the population ages.
Professor Delbaere noted that 'the current inaction not only neglects the health and wellbeing of older Australians but also highlights systemic ageism in health policy priorities.'
The financial case is equally strong—at $3 billion a year and climbing, prevention isn’t just about saving lives, it’s about ensuring the sustainability of the healthcare system.
Moving forward together
The newly formed Falls Prevention Alliance Australia represents hope and momentum for real change.
Caton believes education alone could prevent 'a third of those lives' lost to falls.
If achieved, it would mean thousands fewer deaths and hundreds of millions saved annually.
This isn’t about accepting ageing—it’s about empowerment, awareness, and demanding better from those in power.
The alliance has sounded the alarm.
Now, it’s up to all of us to make sure it’s heard.
What This Means For You
Falls are costing Australia an astonishing $3 billion every year and have become one of the leading causes of injury-related deaths among older people. That’s why Michael Caton has teamed up with more than 30 organisations to launch the country’s first national falls prevention alliance—pushing for a coordinated National Falls Action Plan similar to the dementia strategy.
Experts say prevention is within reach through simple steps like regular exercise, safer homes, and routine medication checks. It’s a powerful reminder that staying steady on your feet isn’t just luck—it’s about taking action today to protect your independence tomorrow.
If Caton’s story has you thinking about your own safety, you’re not alone—many people underestimate just how quickly a simple slip can change everything.
Falls don’t always happen during risky activities; sometimes it’s just a small misstep at home or a dizzy moment that catches you off guard.
That’s why this next story dives into practical, everyday ways to stay steady and confident on your feet.
Read more: 273 Australians end up in hospital every day from falls—here’s how to make sure you’re not next
Beloved actor Michael Caton reveals serious fall and calls for urgent action on epidemic — The 7News report where Caton shared his personal experience with vertigo and his call for national action on fall prevention.
https://7news.com.au/news/beloved-actor-michael-caton-reveals-serious-fall-and-calls-for-urgent-action-on-epidemic-c-20475481
Action needed on falls: health experts, politicians and much-loved actor join forces to demand change — University of Sydney article announcing the launch of the national falls prevention alliance led by experts, politicians, and Michael Caton.
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
Latest Slip and Fall Statistics in Australia and New Zealand (2025) — Tunstall Healthcare report detailing fall-related hospitalisations, costs, and mortality rates across Australia and New Zealand.
https://www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au/blog/slip-and-fall-statistics-in-australia-and-new-zealand
New national alliance calls for urgent action on falls prevention — UNSW announcement highlighting the alliance’s call for a National Falls Action Plan modelled on the 2024 Dementia National Action Plan.
https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2025/10/new-national-alliance-calls-for-urgent-action-on-falls-prevention
Info about falls | Australia and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society — Overview of falls prevalence and risk data showing that around 30% of adults over 65 experience at least one fall per year.
https://www.anzfallsprevention.org/info/
Have you or someone you love taken steps to prevent falls at home? Share your experience—your story might inspire others to stay safe and independent.
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