Falls are common — and far more preventable than people think
Falls are the most frequent cause of injury and injury-related hospital admission in older people. Around one in three people over 65, and half of those over 80, will fall at least once a year. A fall can be a turning point — a broken hip or a loss of confidence can change someone's independence overnight.
The encouraging part: falls are not an inevitable part of ageing. Much of the risk can be reduced. Studies show that the right strength and balance training can cut the risk of falling by as much as 55%. Knowing what to look for, and acting early, makes a real difference.
Know the risk factors
Falls usually have more than one cause. The more of these that apply, the higher the risk — and the more worth addressing:
- Muscle weakness and poor balance, often from being less active
- Medications — particularly several at once, or those that cause drowsiness, dizziness or low blood pressure
- Eyesight problems or out-of-date glasses
- Foot problems and unsuitable footwear — loose slippers are a classic culprit
- Dizziness on standing (a drop in blood pressure when getting up)
- Continence issues that mean rushing to the toilet, especially at night
- Cognitive conditions such as dementia, which affect judgement of hazards
- Previous falls — having fallen before is one of the strongest predictors of falling again
Make the home safer
Many falls happen at home, doing ordinary things. A walk through the house looking for hazards is one of the most useful hours you can spend.
- Clear the walkways: remove clutter, trailing cables, and loose rugs, or fix rugs down securely.
- Light it well: good lighting on stairs and landings, and a lamp or night light within reach of the bed for night-time trips to the toilet.
- Add support where it's needed: grab rails by the toilet, bath or shower, and on both sides of the stairs if possible.
- Sort the bathroom: non-slip mats, a raised toilet seat or shower seat if getting up and down is hard.
- Keep everyday items within easy reach so there's no stretching or standing on chairs.
- Check footwear: well-fitting shoes or slippers with a back and a non-slip sole, not loose mules.
Keep strength and balance up
Staying active is the most powerful long-term protection against falls — the opposite of the instinct to "take it easy" after a scare. Gentle, regular movement keeps the muscles and balance that prevent falls in the first place.
- Strength and balance classes — many areas run them specifically for older people; ask the GP or local council.
- Simple daily exercises like sit-to-stands from a chair, or standing on one leg while holding a worktop, build real resilience.
- Staying generally active — walking, gardening, moving around the house — matters more than any single exercise.
Sort out the medical contributors
Some of the biggest wins come from a quick review with the professionals:
- Ask the GP or pharmacist for a medication review. Some medicines, or combinations, raise fall risk — and they may be adjustable.
- Get eyes tested regularly and keep glasses up to date.
- Mention dizziness or "going funny" on standing — this is often treatable.
- See a podiatrist for foot pain or nail problems that affect walking.
After a fall — and when to worry
If someone falls, stay calm and check for injury before moving them. Call 999 if they've hit their head, can't get up, are in severe pain, or you suspect a broken bone. Even after a fall with no obvious injury, it's worth telling the GP — a fall is often a signal that something has changed and is worth investigating.
You can also ask the GP about a referral to a falls clinic or falls prevention service, where a team assesses the causes and puts a plan in place.
A fall is frightening, but it's also information. Treated as a prompt to act — on strength, on hazards, on medications — it can be the moment that keeps someone independent for years longer.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or other health professional about an individual's falls risk and care.