Prevent Falls at Home: Your 6-Step Plan

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older adults. But they’re not inevitable! Follow these simple guidelines to stay safe and active.

Falls are all too common among older adults. In fact, one in four Americans ages 65 and older will fall this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, bouncing back isn’t always so simple.

Falls are the top cause of injuries in seniors, including head injuries, fractures, and even spinal cord injuries, warns Cynthia Brown, M.D., director of gerontology, geriatrics, and palliative care at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Whether you have previously fallen, are worried about your balance, or feel generally steady on your feet, it’s never too early to talk to your doctor about your risk for falls. For older adults, the sooner and more often you can have those discussions, the better you can prevent falls.

“Ideally, your doctors should ask at least once a year about falls,” Dr. Brown says. But if they don’t and you have had one, speak up.

“They can watch you walk and check to see how steady you are, while also thinking about your medications and other factors that might contribute to falls,” she says. “If they don’t know you have experienced a fall, they can’t help you.”

In addition to maintaining an open dialogue with your doctor, there are some simple steps you can take to safeguard your home and reduce your risk of falls on the go.

Step #1: Identify the Top Home Hazards

While a fall can happen anywhere, certain places invite more danger.

Beware the bathroom. “I ask my patients to tell me one soft place they can land in their bathroom if they fall,” Dr. Brown says. “All have answered that there aren’t any.”

Dr. Brown recommends installing grab bars in the shower or beside the toilet. It’s also smart to use a nonslip mat in the shower.

Stairs are another place where a fall can lead to a significant injury. Make sure you install handrails on both sides of any staircase—and use them even if you don’t think you need to, Dr. Brown says.

Step #2: Take a Walking Tour

“In our fall prevention clinic at the Birmingham VA Medical Center, we encourage our patients to walk through their homes looking for hazards,” Dr. Brown says.

Answer these questions:

• Are the pathways clear?
• Is there room for you and, if you have one, an ambulatory device like a cane or walker?
• Are there loose rugs you can trip over?
• Is the lighting bright enough to allow you to see any hazards clearly?

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a great checklist that older adults and their families can use to ensure the home environment is safe,” she says.

The SilverSneakers Home Safety Checklist is a great resource to help older adults and their families identify areas in and around the home where simple changes can help prevent falls. Find the checklist here.

Step #3: Ask for Safeguarding Help

For ambulatory devices like canes or walkers, Medicare Part B can help cover the cost, Dr. Brown says.

If you require assistance installing grab bars, railings, or other safety guards, check with local community or religious organizations, she suggests.

Step #4: Give Yourself a Steady Foundation

Studies show that footwear can make a difference in avoiding falls, Dr. Brown says. “Shoes with good support, low heels, and a back—no slip-ons—are best.”

Even if you spend most of your time at home, what you have on your feet matters. Bare feet, socks, and slippers can increase your risk of falls. Wearing supportive shoes can help keep you steady.

For a solid foundation, check out more tips on proper footwear plus foot exercises.

Step #5: Improve Your Strength, Balance, and Flexibility

“Staying strong is critical, since people who are weak are four times as likely to fall as people who are strong,” Dr. Brown says. Simple exercises, like trying to stand from a chair without using your hands, can help build your leg muscles, she adds.

Can’t stand all the way up? Push up just a couple inches. Once you feel some tension, release to sit back down. Even with this small range of motion, you’ll still strengthen your legs, hips, and core. Get more tips with our beginner’s guide to the squat.

Balance exercises and simple stretches are also important. A number of studies have shown that tai chi can help with both balance and flexibility, Dr. Brown says. Yoga and stability classes are other good options. Why not check your SilverSneakers eligibility and see if there are any classes near you?

If needed, your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist who can teach you an exercise routine to do in your home, Dr. Brown adds.

Step #6: Don’t Live in Fear

“After a fall, many people develop a fear of falling,” Dr. Brown says. “This makes them much more cautious—to the point that they may restrict their activities for fear of having another fall.”

While being cautious is often good, fear can interfere with your lifestyle and harm your health in other ways. For example, if you’re afraid to leave your home, you may feel lonely or isolated.

“Gaining confidence and improving your balance through exercise can help,” Dr. Brown says. “Many people also find that having a cane or walker makes them feel more secure, and that they are more independent and adventurous with the assistive device.”

More Fall Prevention and Recovery Resources

• Is Your Medication Putting You at Risk of Falls or Injuries?
• 6 Best Balance Exercises for Better Stability
• Is There a Proper Way to Fall?
• 6 Questions to Ask Your Doctor After a Fall-Related Injury
• How to Recover After a Hip Fracture

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