15 Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors: A Complete Guide for Seniors and Caregivers

A fall can happen in seconds, but its effects may last much longer. For older adults, people living with disabilities and those recovering from an illness, injury or surgery, a fall can affect confidence, mobility and the ability to remain independent at home.

Fortunately, many household fall risks can be identified and reduced.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults in Canada. Common prevention strategies include removing tripping hazards, improving strength and balance, getting enough sleep and using appropriate safety equipment. (Canada⁠)

This guide from Function At Home explains 15 fall prevention tips for seniors, caregivers and family members to make a home safer.

Important: This article provides general educational information. Anyone experiencing repeated falls, dizziness, sudden weakness, fainting, significant balance changes or difficulty walking should speak with a physician or another qualified healthcare professional. Equipment should be selected and used according to professional recommendations and the manufacturer’s instructions.

1. Remove Clutter and Tripping Hazards

Walk through the home and look at the floor from the perspective of someone who has difficulty lifting their feet or maintaining balance.

Common tripping hazards include:

• Electrical cords crossing walkways

• Shoes left near doors

• Boxes, bags or laundry on the floor

• Pet toys

• Small furniture

• Loose papers or magazines

• Decorative items placed in narrow hallways

Keep frequently used walking routes open, especially the path between the bedroom and bathroom.

Furniture should be arranged so that someone using a cane, walker, rollator or wheelchair has enough room to move safely. Avoid creating narrow spaces that require the person to turn sideways or step around obstacles.

2. Secure or Remove Loose Rugs

Loose area rugs can slide, curl at the edges or catch the tip of a shoe, cane or walker.

Consider removing small rugs from high-traffic areas. Rugs that remain in the home should lie flat and be secured with an appropriate non-slip backing.

Pay particular attention to rugs located:

• Beside the bed

• At bathroom entrances

• Near exterior doors

• At the top or bottom of stairs

• In kitchens and hallways

A rug that has been in the same place for years may still become a hazard when someone’s mobility, vision or balance changes.

3. Improve Lighting Throughout the Home

Poor lighting can make it difficult to see steps, floor transitions, obstacles and changes in surface height.

Make sure there is adequate lighting in:

• Hallways

• Staircases

• Bathrooms

• Bedrooms

• Entryways

• Kitchens

• Basements

• Exterior walkways

Nightlights can be particularly useful along the route between the bedroom and bathroom. Light switches should be accessible without requiring someone to cross a dark room.

Replace burned-out bulbs promptly and consider brighter lighting where shadows make it difficult to see the floor.

Canadian fall-prevention guidance specifically recommends proper lighting in hallways, on stairs, in bathrooms and along walking routes. (Parachute⁠)

4. Make the Bathroom Safer

Bathrooms can present several risks at once: wet surfaces, limited space, low toilet seats and the need to step over the side of a bathtub.

Depending on the person’s needs, useful bathroom safety equipment may include:

• Grab bars

• Shower chairs

• Bath seats

• Tub transfer benches

• Raised toilet seats

• Toilevators

• Toilet safety frames

• Handheld showerheads

• Non-slip bathing surfaces

A shower chair allows someone to sit while bathing, which may reduce the amount of time spent standing on a wet surface.

A tub transfer bench may help a person sit down outside the bathtub and move across the bench rather than stepping directly over the tub wall.

Grab bars should be properly selected and securely installed in appropriate locations. Towel racks and soap dishes are not designed to support a person’s body weight and should never be treated as substitutes for grab bars.

Function At Home carries a range of bathroom safety equipment for clients in London, Ontario and surrounding communities, including shower seating, toileting aids and other products intended to support safer daily routines.

5. Use Non-Slip Surfaces in Wet Areas

Water on tile, laminate or other smooth flooring can create a serious slipping hazard.

Keep bathroom and kitchen floors dry. Clean spills promptly and make sure bathing surfaces provide appropriate traction.

Non-slip solutions may include:

• Non-slip bath or shower surfaces

• Securely fitted non-slip mats

• Slip-resistant flooring

• Properly fitted footwear

• Shower seating when standing is unsafe

Avoid placing loose towels on the floor as makeshift bathmats. They can bunch up or slide unexpectedly.

6. Install Secure Handrails on Stairs

Stairs should have sturdy handrails that are easy to grip. Where possible, handrails on both sides provide more support than a single railing.

Check that:

• Railings do not move when pressure is applied

• Steps are free of clutter

• Stair edges are easy to see

• Carpet is securely attached

• Lighting reaches the entire staircase

• Outdoor steps are cleared of snow and ice

• Items are not stored on the stairs

Do not carry large objects that block the view of the steps. Someone with significant mobility or balance limitations may need a professional assessment before continuing to use stairs independently.

7. Choose Supportive Footwear

Footwear can affect traction, balance and the ability to feel the floor.

Safer footwear generally fits securely and provides good support. Loose slippers, worn-out soles, high heels and socks without traction may increase the chance of slipping.

Avoid walking around the house in footwear that:

• Slides off the heel

• Is too large

• Has a smooth or damaged sole

• Causes pain

• Makes it difficult to lift the feet

• Catches on carpeting

A healthcare professional may recommend specific footwear or orthotics for someone with foot pain, swelling, diabetes, weakness or changes in walking pattern.

8. Keep Frequently Used Items Within Reach

Reaching too far, bending deeply or standing on a chair can cause a loss of balance.

Store frequently used items between approximately waist and shoulder height whenever practical.

This may include:

• Dishes

• Food

• Clothing

• Toiletries

• Medication

• Towels

• Telephone chargers

• Mobility-device accessories

Avoid climbing onto chairs, stools or furniture to reach high shelves. Ask for assistance or reorganize the storage area.

A reaching aid may help with some lightweight objects, but it should not be used to retrieve heavy, breakable or dangerous items.

9. Use the Right Mobility Aid

Canes, walkers and rollators can improve stability—but only when the device is appropriate for the individual and adjusted correctly.

Canes

A cane may provide light support for someone who needs assistance with balance or one-sided weakness.

Standard walkers

A standard or two-wheeled walker may provide greater stability and may be appropriate for someone who needs more support.

Rollator walkers

A rollator has wheels, hand brakes and usually a seat. It can be helpful for people who benefit from continuous rolling support or need to rest while walking.

However, a rollator is not automatically the safest choice for everyone. A person must be able to control the device, use the brakes properly and maintain a safe walking position.

A mobility aid that is too tall, too short, too wide or otherwise inappropriate can create new risks. A physiotherapist, occupational therapist or another qualified healthcare professional can help determine which device is most suitable.

Function At Home offers canes, walkers, rollators, wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. Our team can help explain product features and available options, while clinical recommendations should come from the appropriate healthcare professional.

10. Check Mobility Equipment Regularly

Even the right mobility device can become unsafe when worn, damaged or poorly maintained.

Regularly inspect:

• Cane tips

• Walker glides

• Wheels and casters

• Hand grips

• Rollator brakes

• Folding mechanisms

• Seat supports

• Fasteners

• Wheelchair wheel locks

• Footrests

• Tires

Rubber tips should provide adequate traction and should not be worn through. Rollator brakes should engage properly and should not require excessive hand strength.

Do not continue using equipment that feels loose, unstable or difficult to control. Have damaged equipment inspected and serviced before further use.

11. Make Getting In and Out of Bed Safer

Falls can happen when someone stands up too quickly, reaches for unstable furniture or struggles to move near the edge of the bed.

Consider:

• Keeping the route to the bathroom clear

• Placing a lamp or light switch within reach

• Keeping mobility aids nearby without blocking the exit

• Wearing secure footwear before standing

• Sitting at the edge of the bed briefly before rising

• Avoiding loose bedding that hangs onto the floor

• Making sure the bed height supports safe transfers

Depending on the person’s needs, bedroom equipment may include a properly selected bed assist rail, transfer aid or adjustable homecare hospital bed.

Bed rails are not suitable for every person. They can create entrapment, climbing or injury risks when selected or used incorrectly. Any bed rail or bedside support should be compatible with the bed and mattress and used according to professional advice and the manufacturer’s instructions.

A full-electric hospital bed may allow the head, foot and overall bed height to be adjusted. The height adjustment can make certain transfers and caregiving tasks easier when the equipment is appropriate for the individual.

12. Make Chairs and Sitting Surfaces Easier to Use

Very low, soft or unstable seating can make standing difficult.

A safer chair should:

• Remain stable during transfers

• Provide appropriate seat height

• Support the person’s body

• Have armrests when needed

• Allow the feet to contact the floor or an appropriate support

• Be positioned on a stable surface

Avoid using lightweight tables, rolling furniture or unstable armrests for support.

A power lift recliner can help bring a person from a seated position toward standing. However, the person must still be able to maintain balance and complete the transfer safely.

A lift chair does not replace an assessment or hands-on assistance when these are required. The chair should fit the individual’s height, body dimensions, positioning needs and weight capacity.

Function At Home offers lift recliner chairs from established home medical equipment manufacturers, with options available for different sizes, positioning features and comfort needs.

13. Review Medications and Health Changes

Falls are not always caused by the home environment. Dizziness, weakness, low blood pressure, vision changes, pain and medication side effects may also affect balance.

A physician or pharmacist should review medications when someone experiences:

• A recent fall

• New dizziness

• Unusual drowsiness

• Fainting

• Confusion

• Changes in balance

• New difficulty walking

• Weakness after starting or changing medication

Do not stop or change prescribed medication without consulting the appropriate healthcare professional.

Regular vision and hearing assessments may also be important because sensory changes can affect awareness of obstacles and the surrounding environment.

14. Maintain Strength, Balance and Mobility

Physical activity may help maintain strength, coordination and balance. The appropriate activity will depend on the person’s health, abilities and fall risk.

Possible options may include:

• Walking

• Supervised strength exercises

• Balance exercises

• Physiotherapy

• Seated exercise

• Community exercise programs

• Individually prescribed rehabilitation

People who have recently fallen, become noticeably weaker or feel unsafe while exercising should speak with a physician or physiotherapist before beginning a new program.

The Public Health Agency of Canada includes strength and balance activity among its recommended fall-prevention strategies. (Canada⁠)

15. Arrange a Professional Home-Safety Assessment

Sometimes fall risks are difficult to recognize without professional input.

An occupational therapist may assess:

• Transfers

• Bathroom access

• Bed mobility

• Seating

• Walking routes

• Stair use

• Mobility equipment

• Daily activities

• Caregiver needs

• The home environment

A physiotherapist may assess balance, strength, walking ability and the appropriate use of a mobility aid.

The recommendations may involve equipment, home modifications, rehabilitation, caregiver support or changes to how a task is completed.

A home-safety plan should be based on the individual—not simply on age or diagnosis.

Room-by-Room Fall-Prevention Checklist

Entrance and Hallways

• Are walking routes free of shoes, bags and cords?

• Is there enough room for a mobility aid?

• Is the entrance well lit?

• Are thresholds clearly visible?

• Are exterior walkways cleared of snow and ice?

• Is there a stable railing where needed?

Living Room

• Is the furniture arranged to create clear pathways?

• Are rugs secure?

• Are electrical cords against the wall?

• Are chairs stable and easy to get out of?

• Are frequently used items within reach?

Kitchen

• Are spills cleaned promptly?

• Are everyday items stored at accessible heights?

• Is the flooring free of loose mats?

• Is adequate lighting available?

• Can the person prepare food without excessive reaching?

Bathroom

• Is there appropriate bathing seating?

• Are grab bars securely installed where recommended?

• Is the bathing surface slip resistant?

• Is the toilet height manageable?

• Is the floor kept dry?

• Can the person enter and exit the bath or shower safely?

Bedroom

• Is there a clear path to the bathroom?

• Is lighting within reach?

• Is the bed at a manageable height?

• Is bedding kept off the floor?

• Is the mobility aid positioned safely?

• Can the person transfer without pulling on unstable furniture?

Stairs

• Are both the top and bottom well lit?

• Are the steps free from stored items?

• Are railings secure?

• Are stair edges visible?

• Is the flooring or carpet firmly attached?

What Should You Do After a Fall?

After a fall, do not rush to stand immediately.

First, check for pain, bleeding, dizziness or an obvious injury. Emergency assistance may be needed if the person:

• Hit their head

• Lost consciousness

• Has severe pain

• Cannot move normally

• May have fractured a bone

• Has chest pain or difficulty breathing

• Shows signs of a stroke

• Is taking blood-thinning medication and sustained an injury

• Cannot safely get up

Call 911 when emergency assistance is required.

Even when there is no obvious injury, a fall should not simply be dismissed. The cause may involve the environment, medication, illness, weakness, vision, blood pressure, footwear or an unsuitable mobility aid.

A physician or another qualified healthcare professional can help determine whether further assessment is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preventing Falls at Home

What causes most falls at home?

Falls can have more than one cause. Common contributing factors include clutter, loose rugs, poor lighting, wet floors, unsuitable footwear, muscle weakness, balance changes, medication effects and inappropriate or poorly maintained mobility equipment.

What equipment can help prevent falls?

Depending on the individual, helpful equipment may include grab bars, shower chairs, raised toilet seats, toilet safety frames, canes, walkers, rollators, lift chairs, transfer aids and adjustable hospital beds.

No single product is appropriate for everyone. Equipment should match the person’s abilities, environment and professional recommendations.

Are suction grab bars safe?

Suction grab bars may lose their hold and are generally not equivalent to permanently installed, weight-bearing grab bars. Never assume a suction-mounted product can support full body weight unless its manufacturer specifically states that use and all installation requirements are met.

For regular weight-bearing support, professionally installed grab bars are generally the more dependable option.

Is a walker safer than a cane?

A walker usually provides a larger base of support than a cane, but the safest device depends on the person’s strength, balance, walking pattern, coordination and environment.

A healthcare professional can assess whether a cane, walker, rollator or another mobility device is appropriate.

Can a lift chair prevent falls?

A properly selected lift chair may make the transition from sitting to standing easier. It cannot guarantee that a fall will not occur, and it does not replace assistance when a person cannot safely complete the transfer independently.

Does a hospital bed help with transfers?

An adjustable hospital bed may help by changing the bed’s height or positioning. This can make certain transfers and caregiving tasks more manageable.

The bed, mattress, rails and accessories must be selected as a compatible system and used appropriately.

When should someone receive a fall-risk assessment?

Consider requesting professional assessment after a fall, a near-fall, a significant change in mobility, new dizziness, a hospital stay, surgery, medication changes or increasing difficulty with transfers and daily activities.

Creating a Safer Home in London, Ontario

Preventing falls does not always require a complete home renovation. Small changes—such as removing clutter, improving lighting, securing rugs and choosing appropriate safety equipment—can make everyday activities more manageable.

Function At Home Inc. is a family-owned home healthcare equipment provider serving London, Ontario and surrounding Southwestern Ontario communities.

We offer a range of equipment intended to support mobility, comfort and independence, including:

• Bathroom safety equipment

• Bedroom safety equipment

• Canes, walkers and rollators

• Manual and transport wheelchairs

• Lift recliner chairs

• Hospital beds and mattresses

• Patient lifts

• Wheelchair cushions

• Mobility scooters

• Custom mobility equipment

• Equipment rentals

Our team can explain product options, measurements, features and compatibility. Where clinical assessment is required, we encourage clients and families to work with their physician, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or other regulated healthcare professional.

Visit Function At Home Inc. at 617 Consortium Court in London, Ontario, or call 226-663-1395 to discuss your home healthcare equipment needs.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation or an individualized home-safety assessment.