Falls prevention
Our fall prevention guidelines help reduce the risk of falls and keep you safe at home.
Falls Prevention
Falls can occur at any age, but older adults are more prone to serious injury due to factors like balance instability. Common causes of falls include:
- Medication complications: Certain medications can cause dizziness, confusion, or muscle weakness, increasing the risk of falls.
- Muscle weakness: A reduction in muscle strength can affect your ability to move quickly or maintain balance.
- Loss of vision: Impaired vision makes it harder to detect obstacles and navigate surroundings, increasing fall risk.
- Long-term health conditions: Chronic conditions like dementia or arthritis can impair coordination, memory, and balance, contributing to falls.
- Environmental hazards: Loose carpets, slippery floors, and obstacles can create tripping hazards, even for those in good health.
How can I prevent a fall?
While some causes of falls are unavoidable, there are simple changes you can make in your lifestyle and environment to reduce the risk of falling:
- Stay active: Regular strength and balance exercises can improve coordination and stability.
- Eat well: A healthy, balanced diet supports muscle strength and bone health.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water each day to avoid dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Monitor your eyesight: Wear corrective lenses or get regular eye exams to maintain clear vision.
- Check your hearing: Ensure you wear hearing aids if needed, as hearing loss can affect your awareness of surroundings.
- Wear appropriate footwear: Choose shoes with good support and non-slip soles, both indoors and outdoors.
- Use walking aids: If necessary, use a walking stick or walker to help with balance and provide extra support.
Making Your Home Safe to Reduce the Risk of Falls
Falls often happen at home due to environmental hazards that may not always be obvious. To ensure a safe environment, follow these tips:
- Improve lighting: Install night lights in hallways, staircases, and bathrooms to ensure pathways are visible at all times.
- Clear obstacles: Remove clutter or rearrange furniture to avoid tripping hazards, particularly in high-traffic areas.
- Secure flooring: Ensure all carpets are flat, floorboards are fixed, and slippery areas have non-slip mats or rugs.
- Install grab bars: In bathrooms and other places where support is needed, install grab bars to provide immediate stability.
- Keep frequently used items within reach: Avoid storing items in high or low cabinets that may require bending or stretching to access.
Did you know?
- 1 in 3 adults over 65 who live at home will experience at least one fall per year.
- 1% of muscle mass is lost each year starting from the age of 55, affecting strength and balance.
- 50% of all outdoor falls are related to walking activity, highlighting the importance of proper footwear and balance.
Fall Prevention Around the Home
To prevent falls, it’s essential to be aware of potential hazards in every room of your home. Our Fall Prevention Guide provides room-by-room tips to address specific risks. Here are some general hazards to look out for:
- Poor lighting: Ensure all areas, especially stairways and hallways, are well-lit.
- Obstacles in pathways: Keep floors free from clutter, cords, or any items that may block walkways.
- Loose floorboards or carpets: Secure any loose flooring or edges to avoid tripping.
- Slippery surfaces: Use non-slip mats in bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet areas.
- Lack of grab bars or handholds: Install grab bars near toilets, bathtubs, or in areas where extra support is needed.
- Cabinet heights: Avoid storing frequently used items in hard-to-reach cabinets.
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FAQs – Falls prevention
Falls can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle weakness, medication side effects, vision loss, long-term health conditions (such as dementia), and environmental hazards like slippery floors, loose carpets, or cluttered pathways.
You can reduce your risk by staying active with strength and balance exercises, improving lighting in your home, removing obstacles, securing loose flooring, and installing grab bars in bathrooms. Additionally, wearing proper footwear and using walking aids can provide extra support.
If you fall, try to remain calm and assess your situation. If you’re not injured, slowly get up by rolling onto your side, then use your hands to push yourself into a sitting position before standing. If you are injured or unable to get up, call for help immediately.
It’s recommended to engage in strength and balance exercises at least three times a week. Activities like walking, tai chi, or yoga can significantly improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.
Yes, several home modifications can help, such as installing night lights, removing trip hazards, securing carpets, adding non-slip mats in bathrooms, and using grab bars for support in key areas like the bathroom and stairways.
