How to Prevent Falls at Home: A Complete Guide

If mobility, balance, and strength are concerns for you or your loved one, falling is a very real fear. Being able to safely move around your home for daily activities is something you need to be able to do. We’ll talk about ways you can prevent falls and increase your safety in this detailed guide

Falls are a Common Problem

For adults 65 and older, falls are a common event. In the United States, 1 in 4 adults in this age group (28%) report falling each year, with 37% of those who fell reporting an injury.1 In fact, according to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide.2

Of these falls, 60% occur at home, according to a Weill Cornell Medical College expert on falls.3

When someone falls and has an injury, these are some possible outcomes:

Broken bones, such as hip fractures
Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Dislocated joints
Soft tissue injuries (cuts, abrasions, and bruises)
Spinal cord damage

Especially for older adults, hip fractures and head injuries can have serious consequences. According to the CDC, 95% of hip fractures are due to falls and traumatic brain injuries are most often caused by falling.4 And some studies show that as many as 50% of people with hip fractures die within 6 months.5 For those with traumatic brain injuries, falls most often were the cause that led to death.6

Why Do Falls Happen?

There are two main reasons people fall. The first is called “intrinsic factors”- anything about the person themselves that increases their risk of falling. The second is called “extrinsic factors”- anything external or in the environment around them that increases their risk of falling.

Intrinsic (physical) causes of falls include:

Weakness and loss of balance
Vision problems
Problems related to health conditions, like neuropathy which makes your feet numb
Pain when moving around, such as arthritis pain
Medication side effects
Confusion
Trouble knowing when you need to use the restroom, or having sudden urges and needing to rush to the bathroom
A combination of any of the above problems

Extrinsic (environmental) causes of falls include:

Poor footwear choices
Slippery floors and surfaces or throw rugs that move easily
Clutter around the house
Bad lighting
Home hazards like uneven surfaces, broken steps, or missing/loose handrails

How Can You Reduce Risk of Falling?

As you can see, it is a big priority to reduce the risk of falling because it can lead to serious consequences. And, even if one fall doesn’t result in an injury, it increases the risk of falling again.7 Also, older adults who fall are often very afraid of falling again, and stop doing activities they enjoyed, which leads to more health problems.

To reduce the risk of falling, there are some tips you can follow:

1. Use the right tools for walking safely

This includes wearing properly secured, well-fitting shoes (no floppy slippers or untied shoelaces), and using a cane or walker for support if you have weakness or balance problems. If needed, a wheelchair or motorized scooter can get you safely from one place to another without walking.

2. Make the bathroom safer

Adding grab bars to the bathtub, toilet and shower area can help steady someone. Bath mats should be non-slip and included inside the tub or shower. A shower chair allows someone with weakness or poor balance to remain seated while showering. Installing a handheld shower sprayer reduces the need to stand or turn while showering.

3. Remove trip hazards

Look around the home for anything that can cause someone to trip. Keep in mind that for some seniors, trouble walking means they are barely lifting their feet. Area rugs and throw rugs can cause uneven walking surfaces that feet can snag on. Extension cords across an open floor are a big hazard. Clutter should be picked up.

4. Improve stair safety

Check any stairs for loose handrails or broken steps. Make sure all stairs are cleared of trip hazards. If there aren’t treads or carpet, consider installing one of these non-slip surfaces or adding safety tape. Painting a different color on each step can help a senior with vision trouble see each step more clearly. If stairs are becoming unmanageable, moving to a downstairs bedroom or installing a chairlift may be the best option.

5. Reduce the amount of furniture in the house

Lots of tight corners or squeezes between crowded furniture can be difficult to navigate if you have trouble walking. If furniture is creating an obstacle course, it can help to clear the path from room to room by removing excess pieces of furniture. The simpler the better!

6. Improve lighting

Between a decrease in vision and a possible increase in needing to use the restroom at night, many falls happen in poorly lit areas. Add nightlights to hallways and darker areas of the home. Some of these are activated by low light conditions. Making sure easy-to-reach light switches and lamps are in every room can help, too.

7. Keep up with doctor’s visits

Any health conditions, such as bowel and bladder problems, uncontrolled blood pressure, heart conditions, breathing difficulty, vertigo, etc. that aren’t being treated by a doctor should be tended to. It’s also important to discuss any medication side effects with your doctor right away. They may be able to reduce the side effects or change to a different medication.

8. Stay as active as possible

The less someone moves their body, the weaker they become. Even short walks every day can help with endurance. If walking and transferring from one place to another (like from a bed to a chair) is difficult, using a walker or cane to do it as often as you can tolerate will be safer and keep you from getting weaker.

9. Get help walking

Family caregivers who can give you an arm to lean on and walk with you are a great added safety measure. If you have a lot of trouble with walking, always having someone with you may be the safest choice. This doesn’t have to mean a family member is always with you, either. A caregiver from a home care agency can be available to offer ambulation (walking) assistance, too.

Less Falls Equals Better Health and More Independence

By following the tips discussed above, you can greatly reduce the risk of falls in your home. In the long term, this reduces your risk for health complications and loss of independence. It is possible to get around your home safely without injury- it just requires some extra attention to details, being realistic about your limitations, and asking for help when you need extra support.

If you feel having a professional caregiver in your home could reduce your risk of falls and give you more independence, Caresify is a great resource for trained caregivers who understand safe ambulation assistance. You can check out our homepage for more information, or contact us at 888-799-5007.

Providing personalized in-home care to seniors