How can I prevent an elderly person from falling at home?

Remove tripping hazards (loose rugs, cords, clutter), add bright lighting and night-lights, install grab bars in the bathroom, use sturdy non-slip footwear, keep everyday items within reach, and ask the doctor to review medications and check vision. Gentle strength and balance exercise also reduces falls.

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Fall prevention at home

Q: What is the most common cause of falls in older adults?

There's rarely a single cause. Falls usually come from a combination: muscle weakness or poor balance, medications that cause dizziness, low blood pressure, vision changes, unsafe footwear, and home hazards. Because there are several causes, there are several ways to prevent them.

A single fall can change everything. The good news: most falls are preventable with a few simple changes and a little attention. Here's where to start.

Why falls happen

It's rarely just clumsiness. Falls usually come from a mix of causes, weakness or poor balance, medications that cause dizziness, low blood pressure, vision changes, unsafe footwear, and hazards around the home. Because there are many causes, there are many chances to prevent one.

Make the home safer

Clear the paths. Remove loose rugs, cords, and clutter from walkways.
Light it up. Bright lighting, especially on stairs and the path to the bathroom at night. Add night-lights.
Grab bars by the toilet and in the shower or tub, and a non-slip mat.
Sturdy footwear, closed, non-slip shoes, not loose socks or backless slippers.
Keep everyday items within reach so there's no climbing or over-reaching.
Consider a raised toilet seat or a shower chair if standing is hard.

Beyond the house

Ask the doctor to review medications, some cause dizziness or drowsiness. Get vision checked yearly. Gentle strength and balance activity (even chair exercises, or a program like Tai Chi) genuinely reduces falls. And treat any new unsteadiness as worth a medical look, it can signal something treatable.

Already had a fall? Don't brush it off, one fall raises the odds of another. Our guide on what to do after a fall walks you through checking for injury, when to call for help, and finding the cause.

More hands mean fewer falls

A steady, attentive caregiver helps with the risky moments, getting up, the bathroom, the stairs. Find one you trust.

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This is general education to support families and caregivers, not medical advice. For your loved one's specific needs, work with their doctor, a nurse, or a licensed therapist. In an emergency, call 911.