Health Library

Preventing Falls at Home

A person can fall for many reasons. Older adults may fall because reaction time slows as we age. Your muscles and joints may get stiff, weak, or less flexible because of illness, medicines, or a physical condition.

Other health problems that make falls more likely include:

Arthritis
Dizziness or lightheadedness when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension)
History of a stroke
Dizziness
Anemia
Certain medicines taken for mental illness or to control blood pressure.
Problems with balance or gait
Bladder or urinary problems
History of falling
Changes in vision (vision impairment)
Changes in thinking skills and memory (cognitive impairment)
Muscle weakness
Excessive alcohol use

Falls can cause serious injuries, such as head trauma, broken bones, dislocated joints, internal bleeding, and cuts. Injuries like these can limit your independence.

Prevention tips

To help prevent falls and fall-related injuries, follow the tips below.

Floors

To make floors safer:

Put nonskid pads under area rugs.
Remove small rugs.
Replace worn floor coverings.
Tack carpets firmly to each step on carpeted stairs. Put nonskid strips on the edges of uncarpeted stairs.
Keep floors and stairs free of clutter and cords.
Keep floors and stairs clear of animal and children's toys
Arrange furniture so there are clear pathways.
Clean up any spills right away. Don't walk on wet floors.

Bathrooms

Bathroom set up with grab bars, commode seat, and other safety features.

To make bathrooms safer:

Install grab bars in the tub or shower.
Install a raised (elevated) toilet or toilet seat.
Apply nonskid strips or put a nonskid rubber mat in the tub or shower.
Sit on a bath chair to bathe.
Use bathmats with nonskid backing.

Lighting

To improve visibility in your home:

Keep a flashlight in each room. Or put a lamp next to the bed within easy reach.
Put nightlights in the bedrooms, hallways, kitchen, and bathrooms.
Make sure all stairways have good lighting. There should be a light switch at the bottom and the top of each stairway.

Other changes to make

Look around to find any safety hazards. Look closely at doorways, walkways, and the driveway. Remove or repair any safety problems that you find.
Wear shoes that fit well. Never go barefoot or wear socks or slippers with smooth soles.
See your eye care provider once a year if you wear glasses. This is to be sure the prescription is still right for you.
Take your time when going up and down stairs; always use handrails. Never carry items in both hands.
Wear an alert necklace or bracelet if you are already prone to falling.
Put handrails on both sides of stairs and in walkways for more support. To prevent injury to your wrist or arm, don’t use handrails to pull yourself up.
Use a "reach stick" to grab hard-to-reach items.
Install grab bars wherever needed to pull yourself up.
Arrange items that you use often. This will make them easier to find or reach.
Keep track of where your pets are so you don't trip over them when you are walking.