Falls prevention for older people

Falls are a major cause of injury for older people. They are the leading cause of injury-related hospital admissions in people aged 65 years and over. In 2007–08 approximately three per cent of Victorians in this age group was admitted to hospital as a result of a fall. In that same year, 70 per cent of those aged 65 years and over and admitted to hospital as a result of a fall were women.

Falls are common among older people

It is estimated that at least one-third of people aged 65 years and over fall one or more times a year. Although many of these falls do not result in injury, they can cause:

• Hip and wrist fractures
• Hip and shoulder dislocations
• Head injuries and abrasions
• Bruising and sprains
• Fear of falling that can result in loss of confidence and restriction of activities.

Older people are almost 12 times more likely to have a fall than a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident.

Falls can be prevented

Contrary to popular belief, falls are not inevitable and many older people can be prevented from falling. Some risk factors for falls are relatively easy to change and, where falls occur, the severity of injuries can be reduced. The first step is to ensure that if a person is feeling unsteady or has a fall, even one that does not cause an injury, an appointment is made to discuss this with a doctor.

Avoid falls

To avoid falls and injuries from falls:

• Exercise to improve your balance, strength and flexibility. Home or group exercise programs and Tai Chi are good examples.
• Wear shoes that are comfortable and fit well – they should be wide enough in the toe area, have low or no heels, and have slip-resistant soles.

Improve safety inside

To increase safety in the home:

• Have adequate lighting. Replace light globes with CFL energy efficient light globes of 12 watts or higher. Use plug-in night-lights and have movement sensitive lights near stairs and the bathroom. These lights are available from most leading hardware stores.
• Remove clutter and make sure walkways and corridors are kept clear and well lit.
• Repair or replace carpets with worn areas, holes or long threads.
• Check that mats and rugs are secure and have no tears or wrinkles. Put adhesive strips on all mats and rugs, including those in the bathroom.
• Make sure that chairs and beds are sturdy and easy to get into and out of, and that tables and benches do not have sharp corners.
• Check that internal doors can be opened and closed properly, preferably without locks.
• Check that external doors can be locked and unlocked easily and are working properly.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
• Install grab rails in the bathroom (towel rails are not usually strong enough to use as grab rails).
• Store and use medications safely.
• To reduce the risk of falling in an emergency, make sure your house has smoke alarms in working order and a fire blanket or extinguisher that is easy to reach.

Improve safety outside

To increase safety outside the home:

• Clear away garden tools
• Kill mosses, fungi and lichen that make garden paths slippery when wet
• Mark the leading edge of outside steps (for example, with white paint) so they are easy to see
• Make sure outside steps are well lit
• Keep paths well swept
• Repair broken, uneven or cracked paths, patios and other walking surfaces
• Wear sunglasses and a hat to reduce sun glare.

Stay healthy

To maximise physical wellbeing:

• Talk to your doctor or other health professionals about your diet, managing your medications (including non-prescription ones), and ways to manage chronic medical conditions, including dizziness and incontinence, to reduce risks of falling
• Have your eyes tested annually
• Visit your podiatrist regularly to minimise foot problems.

What to do if you fall at home

If you happen to have a fall at home:

• Don’t panic – stay still for a few minutes and try to calm down
• Call for help if you can
• Dial triple zero (000) to telephone emergency services or call your local doctor for help – keep your telephone in easy reach of the floor, for instance on a low table
• Decide whether you can get up yourself.

If you can get up by yourself

• Roll over onto your stomach and try to get into a crawling position
• Crawl to a stable piece of furniture, like a lounge chair
• Try to get up onto your knees
• Push up, using your strongest leg and arms, still firmly holding onto the furniture
• Sit down on the furniture.

If you can’t get up by yourself

• Try to crawl or drag yourself to somewhere on carpet and find anything that can keep you warm, such as bedclothes, a towel or clothing while you wait for help
• Use your personal alarm, if you have one
• If you don’t have a personal alarm, use an object that you can bang to make a loud noise, like a walking stick against the wall, to alert a neighbour
• If you know no one will hear you, keep warm and try to get up again later.

See your doctor to check for injuries and to assess whether there was a medical cause for the fall.

Where to get help

• Your local doctor or health professional
• Local community health services
• Falls and Mobility Clinics – contact your regional Department of Human Services office
• My Aged Care – Aged Care Information Line Tel. 1800 200 422
• Commonwealth Carelink Centres Tel. 1800 052 222
• Home and Community Care (HACC) services through your local council
• Carers Australia Tel. 1800 242 636
• Seniors Information Victoria Tel. 1300 135 090
• Independent Living Centre Victoria Tel. (03) 9362 6111

Things to remember

• Falls are a major cause of injury for older people.
• Falls may be an indicator of deteriorating health.
• Exercising can help maintain strength (muscle and bone) and balance.
• Taking precautions in and around the home can help you avoid falls and injuries from falls.
• Monitoring or personal alert systems or services can give older people independence and peace of mind.

You might also be interested in:

• Aged care - helping people at home.
  
• Home and Community Care (HACC).
  
• Physical activity - it's important.
  

Want to know more?

Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

(Logo links to further information)

Department of Health logo

Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last reviewed: February 2012

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

If you would like to link to this fact sheet on your website, simply copy the code below and add it to your page:

<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Falls_prevention_for_older_people?open">Falls prevention for older people - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Falls are a major cause of injury for older people and cause hip and wrist fractures, dislocations, head injuries and bruises. Falls can be prevented with simple safety measures in the home and outside. Managing medications, foot care and regular eye tests can also minimise the risk of falls.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Copyight © 1999/2024  State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.