Most falls at home happen for reasons that can be changed. The strongest prevention combines three things: the environment, the person’s strength and balance, and a review of health and medication. Fixing only the environment is the most common mistake.
Medically reviewed by Anuj Kumar Mishra, MPT
Last reviewed: 2 August 2026 · Our clinical team
1. The home
- Remove loose rugs, trailing cables and clutter from walking routes
- Improve lighting, especially on stairs and the route to the bathroom at night
- Fit securely fixed grab rails in the bathroom — not suction rails
- Non-slip mat in the shower or bath
- Handrails on both sides of the stairs, and mark step edges clearly
- Keep everyday items within easy reach so nobody climbs or overstretches
- A stable chair with arms makes standing up safer
2. Strength and balance — the part most often skipped
Environmental changes alone do not prevent falls. Strength and balance exercise is the intervention with the strongest evidence behind it, and it needs to be progressive — getting harder as the person improves — and continued.
Walking alone is not enough. It does not sufficiently challenge balance or build leg strength.
3. Health and medication review
- Medication. Several common medicines increase falls risk, particularly in combination. Ask for a review.
- Blood pressure. Light-headedness on standing is a common and treatable cause.
- Vision. Have it checked. Note that varifocals can make stairs harder to judge.
- Feet and footwear. Well-fitting supportive shoes indoors; avoid loose slippers and walking in socks.
- Dizziness. Should be assessed rather than accepted — see causes of dizziness.
- Bone health. Ask your doctor whether osteoporosis assessment is appropriate.
After a fall
Any fall should be mentioned to a doctor, even without obvious injury — particularly if the person hit their head or takes blood-thinning medication. A fall is also the single best predictor of another fall, so it is the moment to act rather than hope.
Fear of falling
Fear leads people to move less, which weakens them and increases risk further. Supervised, progressive balance work is the way out of that cycle.
References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Falls in older people: assessing risk and prevention (CG161).
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Medical disclaimer: this article is general information and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for individual assessment. See our medical disclaimer.