More than one in four adults 65 and older falls each year — usually at home. Most falls are preventable with risk review, home changes, exercise, and the right support.
Know your risk factors
More than one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year. Most of those falls happen at home, in familiar rooms, during ordinary moments — getting up from a chair, stepping out of the shower, reaching for something on a high shelf. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death in this age group in the United States, and the risk grows with age.
A fall is rarely just bad luck. Medications are one of the most overlooked causes: blood pressure drugs, sleep aids, antihistamines, and some diabetes medications can cause dizziness or a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand. Vision declines make hazards harder to detect in time — bifocals in particular can distort depth perception on stairs. Muscle weakness and age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) also raise fall risk, but respond well to exercise.
Make your home safer
Walk through each room as if you have never seen it before. The bathroom is where many falls happen: install grab bars next to the toilet and inside the shower or tub, use a non-slip mat, and consider a bath seat if standing is difficult.
On stairs, use handrails on both sides and lighting at the top and bottom. Never carry something that blocks your view of the steps. In living areas, remove loose rugs or secure them with non-slip backing, keep cords along walls, and keep walking paths clear. Add motion-activated night lights in hallways and on the way to the bathroom. Wear shoes indoors — socks on hardwood or tile are behind more falls than most people realize.
Exercise is the most underused tool
Regular physical activity improves muscle strength, balance, and joint flexibility — all of which cut fall risk. Tai chi has especially strong evidence for older adults; yoga and Pilates help too. Even simple resistance exercises with bands or light weights rebuild the leg strength needed to catch yourself before a stumble becomes a fall.
Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate activity per week and strength training twice a week. Start slow, check with your doctor, and build from there.
Talk to your doctor — and mention the fall
Many older adults do not bring up falls at appointments out of embarrassment or the belief that falling is just part of getting older. It is not. A fall is clinical information that can point to a medication problem, a vision change, or something else worth catching early. The CDC built its STEADI program around getting older adults and their providers to talk about fall risk before an injury forces the conversation.
How a home care aide helps
A home care aide is, among other things, a consistent presence in the places where falls happen most. Kourion Home Care aides assist with transfers, walk alongside clients during movement, and watch the home environment as it changes — because what was safe in January may not be safe in March.
References & sources
- CDC — Older adult falls — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CDC STEADI — Fall prevention — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- NIA — Fall prevention guidance — National Institute on Aging
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Families should consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance specific to their situation.