Fall Prevention for Older Adults at Home
One in four older adults falls each year. Most falls are preventable. Here is what works.
6 min read · By the care team at Homewatch CareGivers of Houston Galleria
Falls are the leading cause of injury in adults over 65. Fall prevention is one of the highest-leverage things home care does. Here is the framework we use.
Home assessment
Loose rugs, poor lighting, cluttered hallways, missing grab bars, unstable furniture, electrical cords. We walk through every home on first visit and document fall hazards. Most are fixable in an afternoon.
Footwear
Often the simplest, most overlooked fix. Worn slippers, ill-fitting shoes, loose socks. Proper footwear reduces falls measurably.
Medication review
Many medications increase fall risk, sedatives, anti-anxiety drugs, blood pressure medications, sleep aids. We coordinate with the prescribing physician on alternatives where possible.
Vision
Up-to-date eyeglasses. Annual eye exams. Cataract surgery when indicated. Adequate lighting throughout the home, particularly the path from bed to bathroom.
Exercise
Strength and balance work. Tai chi, physical therapy, simple home exercises. Caregivers reinforce the prescribed programme several times per week.
Supervision during high-risk activities
Bathing, transferring, walking outdoors. The activities most associated with falls are also the activities where a caregiver's presence reduces risk most.
Talk with a Care Manager.
Reading helps. A 15-minute call moves it forward.