Preventing falls at home: Expert Interview

The risk of a fall unfortunately increases as we age, and this is one of the reasons why many people choose to get personal alarms. These devices ensure that help is at hand in the event of a fall. They can also make it easier for people to regain their confidence if they have already suffered one of these accidents.

While people may be more likely to experience falls as they age, these accidents are not inevitable. In this article, falls expert Ashley Martin from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) gives his advice on elderly fall prevention, and on what makes falls so serious for older people.

About falls

Why are falls so common in older people?

Falls tend to be more common among older adults because changes in strength, balance, and vision can make it easier to lose stability at home. In fact, falls affect a third of people over 65 years old and 40% of people over 80. The cause of a fall is often due to multiple factors, involving both environmental hazards and an underlying medical condition.

Many falls occur on flat surfaces and are often linked to reduced balance, muscle weakness, or other health issues. Good strength and balance is important for steadying oneself, so it’s understandable that as our strength and balance reduces naturally with age, we’re less steady on our feet.

Why are falls more serious for older citizens?

As bones become more brittle and skin becomes thinner, the likelihood of a serious injury as a result of a fall increases. With a decline in muscle mass, older adults may be less able to get up after a fall. Even if bones are not broken, lying on the floor for a long period, especially in cooler environments, can increase the risk of complications such as hypothermia or other health problems.

Hip fractures are a particular problem because they often result from falls in older people and carry serious long‑term impacts. In the UK more than 70,000 older adults sustain a hip fracture each year as a result of a fall, and fewer than a third of patients return to their pre‑fracture levels of activity.

Common misconceptions about falls

Some people see falls as an inevitable part of ageing, or just one of those things we have to accept. What do you think about that view?

Falls do not have to be inevitable. We can take action to maintain the strength and balance that will help to prevent falls. While some falls will always happen, there are practical steps we can take to prevent them, such as making the home environment safer can significantly reduce the risk.

That’s reassuring. Are there any other common misconceptions about falls which you hear a lot?

Often we hear people say “falls only affect older people” or “I’ll worry about that when I’m older”, which could be a dangerous attitude to hold. Although the consequences of falls are often worse for older people, they can happen at any age. If someone has a series of falls it may be an indicator of other health problems or of a greater likelihood of falls in later life.

What’s more, evidence suggests that the more we do to maintain healthy lifestyles while we are younger, the better prepared our bodies will be to prevent falls in later life.

Home Safety

Let’s talk about what many worry about most – falling whilst alone at home. Do you have any practical advice for preventing falls in the home?

Falls can be brought on by a mixture of health and environmental factors, so it’s important to address both. In terms of what you can do at home, there are a number of changes you could make to improve your safety.

• Remove tripping hazards: Rugs, clutter, loose cables, and poorly placed furniture should be addressed. Ensure at least a six-foot walkway for safe movement.
• Secure rugs: Use double-sided tape or slip-resistant mats to prevent sliding and curling corners.
• Stair safety: Keep stairs clear, avoid hanging items on handrails, and ensure shoes are stored safely.
• Clean spills immediately: Bathrooms and kitchens are high-risk areas. Non-slip mats in showers, baths, and around sinks help prevent accidents.
• Install grab bars and handrails: In bathrooms, along stairs, and other tricky areas. Use them regularly for safety.

What about in the garden where conditions may vary day to day?

I would recommend firstly keeping surfaces and particularly paths in good repair, and being cautious of slippery paths or wet leaves in bad weather conditions.

As in the home, it could be worth considering installing grab rails on entrance steps or any other areas of the garden where you notice a mobility or stability issue. There’s really no shame in installing these, and it’s much better to do it at the first sign of instability rather than waiting until it is really needed.

Are there any areas of the home where falls are most common?

It seems to vary with age. For the 65-75 age range it tends to be where people are more active, for example in the living room or garden. However, for over 75s falls tend to happen more in the bedroom.

Falls on stairs may not happen as often as in other areas of the home, but when they do, they’re often among the most serious.

Health

What kind of health problems can increase the risk of elderly falls at home?

Loss of strength, balance and gait, decline in vision and hearing, mental health problems and deficiencies in the diet are all contributory risk factors. Although prescription medicines are seldom the cause of falls, they may also be a major risk factor.

In addition to increasing the risk of a fall, these health factors can also increase the risk of injury resulting from a fall. Here are some examples of how certain health problems can cause accidents at home.

What should you get regularly checked by your GP if you’re worried about falling?

Make sure you have your eyes tested regularly, as you may not notice a slow deterioration over time. Similarly, ask your GP to check your ears as they play a big part in coordinating balance. GPs and falls clinics may also check a patient’s gait and observe them walking.

If you are on four or more medications, make sure you have a medicine use review with your doctor or pharmacist and check regularly whether you still need to be on the medicines you have been prescribed. People on multiple medications are far more likely to fall.

How can a fall damage someone’s mental wellbeing?

Loss of confidence is a significant outcome for many who have a fall. This in turn leads them to a more sedentary lifestyle and increases the risk of loneliness and isolation.

We recommend people talk to friends and family, their GP or a support service about any concerns after a fall to ensure the right measures are being put in place to reduce the risk of it happening again. You can find links to support services at the end of our article.

Exercise

You’ve mentioned the importance of maintaining strength and balance to reduce the risk of falls. What are the best exercises that older people can do at home to improve in these areas?

Exercise such as walking might be good for general health but there is no evidence that it helps with strength and balance.

Strength and balance exercises are important and there’s lots that you can do easily at home. The NHS has some simple balance improving exercises listed on their website with easy to follow images and instructions. Some of these include side steps, walking toe to heel and standing on one leg (with hands against a wall). 

Try to practice these at least twice a week, or whenever you get a chance. You could challenge yourself to one exercise each time you are waiting for the kettle to boil!

What about outside the home? Are there any useful classes which can help prevent falls? 

Similarly, any exercises which improve strength and balance will be useful. Many people find that yoga and Pilates are good for gently building strength and balance, without too much exertion or risk of injury. 

It’s important to always check with your GP if you’re unsure about an activity and mention any health conditions you may have to the class instructor.

When falls happen

What should someone do immediately after falling?

The first thing is don’t panic. Stay calm and take a moment to listen to your body to see if you are hurt. If you feel you can get up, slowly help yourself up using nearby furniture to stabilise yourself. We recommend familiarising yourself with video (see above) demonstrating how to get up safely after a fall.

You may wish to have a mobile phone or alarm on hand in case you need to call for assistance, allowing you to remain still until help arrives. 

Should someone visit their GP after a fall even if they were not injured?

Yes. They should notify their GP as the fall, or its cause, could be a symptom of something else. Even if they feel fine, some injuries may not be immediately obvious, such as hairline fractures, internal bruising, or minor head trauma, so a medical check-up is recommended to ensure there are no hidden injuries.

Is any sort of rehabilitation offered by the NHS after a fall? What does this involve?

It varies, but there are usually falls services for people with a history of falling and there may be some rehabilitation available from an occupational therapist or physiotherapist. If people who have had falls are not referred to these services, they should contact their GP to find out more.

Finally, we receive a lot of questions asking if a parent who has had a fall now needs full-time care. Does this have to be the case?

This is dependent on many factors: the nature of the injury, whether there is permanent disability and the level of the patient’s ability to look after themselves. It is impossible to generalise, but in general terms it’s people who have a recurrent risk of falling (usually with multiple health issues) that need more care. A fall in itself is not an indicator of someone needing full-time care.

Finding information

There are many useful resources online, including information on ways to prevent falls in elderly people and how to regain confidence after a fall. Here are a few that we recommend.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) – has lots of useful information on how to stay safe at home and on preventing falls at home.

Age Co Personal Alarm service – If you are worried about the risk of falls at home, you may find a personal alarm invaluable for the peace of mind it can bring.

Age UK – offers advice on preventing falls and a guide to spotting hazards in your home. Age UK also has a guide called Staying Steady that looks at falls and how to reduce your risk of having one. In addition, you can access an advice line that can be called for any further guidance and attend exercise classes at local Age UK centres.

NHS – The NHS lists some useful and simple exercises that, if practiced regularly, can improve balance and subsequently reduce the risk of falls.

Move it or Lose it – Similarly, Move it or Lose it recommends some exercises which focus on improving strength and balance. It also runs exercise classes across the country which are developed specifically to improve agility, flexibility, balance and strength in older adults.

Summary

• Falls are common in older adults but can often be prevented with the right precautions.
• Maintaining strength and balance through regular exercises, like yoga or Pilates, helps reduce risk.
• Home safety adaptations, such as grab rails, handrails, non-slip mats, and good lighting, are essential.
• Regular health checks, including eyes, ears, and medications, can identify causes of unsteadiness.
• Personal alarms provide peace of mind and fast access to help if a fall occurs.