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Prevention of Falls

Advice on preventing falls is applicable to everyone, but older people need to take special care because they are more likely to suffer serious injury due to a fall.

General advice

Small changes in and around the home can make a big difference in reducing accidents:

  • Mop up spills promptly.
  • Remove clutter, trailing wires, frayed carpet.
  • Consider getting handrails for the bathroom, and other household aids.
  • Use non-slip mats and rugs.
  • Use high wattage bulbs so you can see.
  • Organise your home and rearrange things so that you keep climbing, stretching, and bending to a minimum, and don’t bump into things.

Advice for older people

  • Regular eye tests - separate types of glasses better than bifocals or varifocals.
  • Take exercise, keep physically active, and keep muscles as strong as possible.
  • Take fewer risks in your routine, slow down, take things gradually.
  • Look after your feet, and wear well-fitting sensible shoes with thin soles, high sides and good grip.
  • Don’t walk on slippery floors in socks or tights.
  • Avoid wearing loose-fitting trailing clothes which might trip you up.
  • Get a flu jab, being unwell can make people more prone to fall.
  • Don’t mix alcohol with medication, may cause dizziness and loss of balance.
  • Let your GP know if you feel dizzy, review your medication with your GP regularly.
  • If you feel unwell, let your family, friend, or neighbour know.
  • Jerky movements may make you feel dizzy, particularly if you have arthritis.
  • Keep your home warm, cold muscles lead to accidents.
  • Have enough calcium and vitamin D in the diet to keep bones strong, reduce fracture risk - calcium is found in dairy products (choose lower fat ones), vitamin D in oily fish and meat, but is added to cereals and can be formed by exposure to sunlight – or use a vitamin supplements.
  • Hip protectors - worn under clothes, reduces risk of hip fracture by at least 50 %.
  • Get help to do things you can’t do safely.
  • Consider using a personal fall alarm system.