Key takeaways
- Falls can lead to fractures, head injuries, and reduced confidence, but are often preventable and not an inevitable part of aging.
- Simple steps like exercise, health checkups, medication review, and proper footwear can significantly lower the risk of falls.
- Simple home adjustments, like installing grab bars or anti-slip tape can help reduce the risk of falls around the home. Using fall detectors can enhance safety if a fall should occur.
From fractures and bone breaks to head injuries and knocks in confidence, falls can significantly affect a person’s life. In fact, they are one of the
But falls can be prevented, and they’re not necessarily an inevitable part of getting older.
This article outlines proven strategies to help older adults, caregivers, and families reduce the risk of falls, enhance safety, and maintain independence. It also suggests small home modifications you can make to help you or a loved one stay safe day to day.
There is a range of simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of falls.
Exercise
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week to
The agency also recommends exercise that improves your balance and strengthens your legs. Tai chi is a low impact example of this type of exercise that 2019 research suggests may contribute to lower fall rates. The authors of this study also list balance and resistance exercises as potentially beneficial activities to reduce the risk of falls.
You can start small and build up exercise duration and intensity as appropriate, and adapt exercises for seated positions or assistive equipment. Working with a physical therapist or other healthcare professional can help you devise an exercise plan that’s appropriate, safe, and effective.
Assessing health conditions and medication
It’s essential to work closely with a healthcare professional if you or someone you care for lives with certain health conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, vertigo, dementia, or depression. These conditions can
It’s also a great idea to go for regular eye tests.
Assess your medications with a healthcare professional and discuss how they affect your fall risk. As we age, medications can begin to cause side effects. Being on several medications at once can also increase your risk of side effects.
According to the CDC, the following medications can
- opioids
- antidepressants
- anti-anxiety medication
- sleep aids
- muscle relaxants
- allergy medication
- bladder control medication
- mood stabilizers
- high blood pressure or heart medications
Blurry vision, daytime sleepiness, drowsiness, balance problems, and slow reactions are some side effects to watch out for. Check in with a healthcare professional regularly to manage your medications.
Footwear
Research shows that the shoes you wear are an often overlooked factor in fall risk and prevention. Researchers recommend that older people wear shoes that:
- have a secure and adjustable fit
- do not have loose or backless designs
- have an appropriate heel height
- have some ankle support
- feature firm, slip-resistant soles
Online tools
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) offers an online Falls Free CheckUp tool, which assesses your fall risk based on 13 questions about previous falls, mobility devices, steadiness while walking, and other health concerns. It will give you a numerical risk score and resources to help reduce your risk.
You can also visit the
The plans you make and products you buy work best when you tailor your choices to your specific needs or the needs of the person you’re caring for.
Below, we list some home modification products and fall alarms you may find useful.
Home modifications
The CDC recommends that people at risk of falls or caring for someone at risk of falls do the following to
- keep the house free of clutter and trip hazards
- remove rugs or tape them down
- keep items in easy-to-reach cabinets to avoid the use of stepladders
- keep the home well-lit
- use non-slip mats and grab bars throughout the home
The
- tidying electrical cords near the walls
- keeping stairs free of clutter and lighting them at night
- ensuring outdoor flooring is even, non-slip, and clear of trip hazards
- seeing that furniture is easy to get in and out of
In the kitchen, the NCOA suggests keeping pots and pans in easy reach, cleaning up spills quickly, and doing food prep seated.
For the bathroom, it advises installing grab bars by the toilet, and in and outside the shower. Make use of non-slip mats in the shower, tub, and on the floor.
Check out the medically vetted home safety products we chose below.
Fall detectors
Smart watches often include a fall detection feature that can alert loved ones if you or someone you care for has fallen.
Below are two of our favorites.
Besides age, there are various factors that can increase a person’s risk of falls.
The
- a history of falls
- increased age
- being female
- taking medication
- lower limb disabilities
- a solitary or sedentary lifestyle
- low body mass index (BMI)
- vision problems
- foot problems, including pain, calluses, and nail conditions
- fear of falling
Environmental risk factors include trip hazards, low lighting, and uneven and slippery surfaces. Outdoors, the weather, terrain, and accessibility challenges in public spaces can also increase your risk of falls.
Anxiety about falls
Being anxious about falling can actually increase a person’s risk of future falls. Activity avoidance, such as moving around less to prevent the risk of falls, can lead to muscle weakness and mobility limitations that can increase a person’s risk of falling during more active periods. Research from 2025 also suggests that fear of falls is linked to balance issues.
Consider speaking with a doctor about anxiety around falling and whether anxiety affects you or the person you care for more widely in day-to-day life. Addressing anxiety can be a helpful step in preventing falls and making people more confident in their abilities.
It’s essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible after a fall. While some people may worry that reporting a fall to a doctor might mean they lose their independence, working with healthcare professionals can actually help establish preventive measures to preserve independence and mobility.
Falling can indicate changes to muscle strength, balance, or vision, and it can also highlight that medication side effects might be developing.
If you’re worried about your balance, stability, or ability to walk, consider speaking with a doctor. You can also talk about any anxiety you have about falling.
A doctor may want to conduct a full health exam and review medication or refer you to a physical therapy or fall prevention program. You can discuss assessments like the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test or how to evaluate the safety of your home.
If you’re caring for someone, go with them to their health appointments so you can be involved in conversations about the risk of falls. Being proactive and developing personalized solutions and plans can greatly help reduce the risk of falls.
Five ways to reduce the risk of falls, especially for older adults, include exercising regularly, clearing the home of clutter and trip hazards, regularly reviewing medication, going for health checkups that include vision and hearing tests, and working with a doctor to manage health conditions that increase the risk of falls.
If an older person regularly experiences falls, it may indicate that muscle weakness, vision problems, health conditions, medication side effects, or environmental hazards are increasing their fall risk.
You need to seek medical advice after a fall, even if there’s no sign of injury. Acting early can prevent future falls and protect a person’s independence and safety.
Muscle weakness and balance problems are major causes of falls in older adults. Other causes include being on several medications at once, vision problems, and certain health conditions.
Risk factors for falling include a previous fall, reduced muscle strength, difficulties with balance or gait, and taking medication. A solitary or sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to their risk. Consider working with your loved one and a doctor to devise a fall risk assessment and prevention plan to keep them safe and protect their independence.
Yes, medication can increase a person’s risk of falls. Sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, some blood pressure drugs, and combinations of multiple medications can increase this risk.
Falls are common but preventable. Fall prevention in older adults is an important health concern, and exercise, stability aids, well-fitted shoes, and a home environment that is safe to move around in can help reduce a person’s risk of falling.
It is also important to monitor medication, discuss side effects, and stay well connected with friends, family, and the community.