UNITED STATES, Sept. 25 (Senior Newspaper) — Falls are common among older adults, but federal health agencies say several practical steps can reduce hazards at home and address health issues that may contribute to a fall.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 4.5 million emergency-department visits for older-adult falls occurred in 2024. A separate CDC facts page reports about 3 million emergency-department visits each year for falls among older people. The agency’s published pages do not explain the difference between those figures, so they should not be used as evidence that emergency visits are rising over time.
For older adults and their families, the guidance points to a daily approach: make walking areas safer, build strength and balance, check vision and hearing, and ask a health professional to review medicines and health conditions.
Which changes can make a home safer?
The CDC and the National Institute on Aging recommend removing clutter, loose rugs and other objects that could cause a trip. They also advise improving lighting, especially in areas used at night, and keeping frequently used items within easy reach.
The CDC recommends installing grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on both sides of staircases. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons also advises securing stairs, improving lighting and avoiding chairs, boxes or other unstable surfaces as step stools.
The National Institute on Aging recommends wearing supportive, nonskid footwear and using properly fitted assistive devices when needed. It also advises older adults to stand up slowly, since a sudden change in position can contribute to dizziness or unsteadiness.
How can exercise help?
The CDC recommends strength and balance activities, including tai chi. The National Institute on Aging advises older adults to stay physically active and perform exercises that support balance and strength.
The New York State Office for the Aging lists gait, balance and functional training, as well as programs such as Tai Chi, Matter of Balance and Stepping On, among fall-prevention approaches. The agency also recommends individualized fall-risk assessments and home assessments.
The guidance does not mean every exercise or program is appropriate for every person. The National Institute on Aging and CDC recommend discussing relevant health concerns and fall risk with a health professional.
Why review medicines, eyesight and hearing?
The CDC advises older adults to review their medicines with a health professional and to receive regular eye checks. The National Institute on Aging says medication side effects, vision or hearing problems, and some medical conditions can affect fall risk.
The CDC’s guidance for health care providers calls for screening patients for fall risk, assessing factors that can be changed and intervening with clinical or community strategies. CDC prevention guidance also includes evaluating medical risks and screening for and treating osteoporosis when needed.
The New York State Office for the Aging says medication reduction or withdrawal may be considered when appropriate. It also lists vitamin D supplementation for people who are vitamin-D deficient. Medication changes and supplements should therefore be handled with a health professional rather than made independently.
What should happen after a fall?
The National Institute on Aging advises older adults to tell a doctor after a fall, even if they do not feel pain. The agency says a fall may signal a medical problem or an issue involving medication or eyesight that can be addressed.
Fall-prevention guidance also emphasizes planning ahead. A household can keep a way to call for help available, make sure emergency responders can enter the home and discuss a response plan with family members, friends or neighbors. The supplied Colorado guidance summarized by KOAA describes those steps as part of a four-part response plan; the summit organizers were not identified in the available source material.
Preventing every fall is not always possible. But the CDC, National Institute on Aging and professional medical organizations consistently point to home safety, physical activity, medication and vision review, and prompt medical follow-up as ways to address risks while helping older adults remain active and independent.
