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Falls and Tips on How to Prevent Them

By Kimberly Juarez
Posted: 05/06/2026

 

Image Source: 5 Common Back Injuries After a Fall

As we get older, one big fear we may have is falling down. This is understandable, as falls can cause multiple injuries. However, there are multiple steps we can take to prevent falls and ease those fears. Stay tuned to learn more about what causes falls and what we can do to prevent them. 

Before we get started, we should first talk about what can cause falls. Many things can be the cause of falls. Some medical causes may include impaired vision, side effects of medications, dropping blood pressure, foot pain, loss of muscle mass, and health issues that cause urgent runs to the restroom. Non-medical causes may include drinking alcohol, wearing unsafe shoes, using assistive equipment that is the wrong size, slippery floors, loose rugs, untidy surroundings, necessities being out of reach, and more. 

Now onto some tips. (Note: For medical causes, it's always a good idea to talk to our doctor and get checked regularly.)

Vision: 

Getting our eyes tested is important to make sure our vision isn't impaired. If there are problems with our vision, a doctor can prescribe lenses to help us see better. 

Medication:

Many medications can cause dizziness. Therefore, speaking to our doctor about medications or supplements we take can be helpful. This can help us understand if any of them have bad interactions with each other. A doctor can then adjust our prescriptions so we don't have those negative side effects. 

Health Conditions:

A doctor can help with certain medical conditions like blood pressure problems, foot pain, and conditions that urge us to use the restroom often. They can do this by prescribing medications or other treatments. For muscle mass loss or activity in general its best to ask for recommendations from our doctors. They can recommend certain exercises that work best for you, such as walking, yoga, tai chi, and more. If there is a lot of fear associated with physical activity, then a physical therapist may be able to help create a fitness routine that works best for you. 

Shoes:

Choosing the right shoes can have a huge impact on preventing falls. It's best to use flat, nonslip, closed shoes that fit well. These types of shoes can also help with joint pain. Using open or high-heeled shoes can cause a loss of balance, which can cause falls. However, if you have any questions, it's always a good idea to contact your doctor. 

Assistive Equipment: 

Assistive equipment such as canes, walkers, grab bars, raised toilet seats, hand-held shower nozzles, and shower chairs can all help in preventing falls. For canes and walkers, it's important that they are the correct height and size for you. If you have any questions about them, it may be a good idea to contact your health care provider. Other helpful equipment can include emergency devices, which include cell phones, fall buttons, smart watches, and smart home devices. All of these devices can make it easier to call for help in case of an emergency. 

Surroundings:

It's important to keep our surroundings well-lit and tidy. Night lights or remote light switches can be helpful if we have to get up in the middle of the night. Keeping the pathway clear and tidy is a good way to prevent falls as well. Rugs and spills are other causes of falls, so cleaning up spills and either removing or using nonslip strips is important. Lastly, it's a good idea to move things we use often to easily accessible areas. 

 

Some Helpful Resources:

Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room - NIH
Fall Prevention: Simple tips to prevent falls - Mayo Clinic
6 Steps to Help Prevent Falls in Older Adults
8 ways to prevent falls at home: Safety tips every senior should know

Sources:

 

CDC. (2024a). Facts about falls. Older Adult Fall Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

Mayo Clinic. (2024). Fall prevention: Simple tips to prevent falls. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358

6 Steps to Help Prevent Falls in Older Adults. (2024, June 26). Ncoa.org. https://www.ncoa.org/article/6-steps-to-help-prevent-falls-in-older-adults/

National Institute on Aging. (2022). Falls and fractures in older adults: Causes and prevention. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/falls-and-fractures-older-adults-causes-and-prevention

National Institute on Aging. (2022b, September 12). Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/preventing-falls-home-room-room

Ing, S. (2026). 8 ways to prevent falls at home: Safety tips every senior should know. Uchicagomedicine.org; UChicago Medicine. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/prevention-and-screening-articles/8-ways-to-prevent-falls-at-home