A person walks outdoors supporting an elderly person who is using a walking stick.

Preventing Falls

For: Adult

Falls can happen to anyone, but they become more common as people get older or live with certain health conditions. A fall can leave you feeling shaken or less confident about walking or moving around.

Many falls cause only minor injuries. But some can lead to broken bones, pain, or a loss of confidence. After a fall, some people start to worry about moving around on their own.

The good news is that many falls can be prevented with the right support, small changes at home, and healthy daily habits.

This page explains what might increase your risk of falling and how you can feel safer and more in control.

More about preventing falls

Why you might be at risk of falling

You may be at higher risk of falling if your balance, muscle strength, or eyesight changes. Some medicines can also cause dizziness or drowsiness. Long-term health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart conditions, or neurological conditions may also affect balance or mobility.

Your surroundings can also play a part. Poor lighting, clutter, uneven floors, or unsafe footwear can increase the chance of a fall. Preventing falls is about more than avoiding accidents. It helps you stay active, confident and independent. Early support can help you move more safely and stop small problems becoming bigger risks.

Falls usually happen because of a mix of different factors. These may include changes in your body, health conditions, medicines, or things in your environment.

The following things can often play a part, muscle weakness or poor balance, changes in blood pressure, especially when standing up, side effects from medicines, such as feeling sleepy or dizzy, foot pain or shoes that do not fit well, arthritis or stiff joints, poor vision or hearing, long-term health conditions that affect your movement or sensation, clutter, loose rugs or uneven floors at home, low activity levels that lead to weaker muscles, recent illness or infection causing temporary unsteadiness and dehydration or poor nutrition affecting concentration and strength.

Often, a fall happens because several of these things occur together. Many people worry that falling is simply part of ageing. This is not true. Most falls can be prevented with the right support. Here are a few things to consider, staying active is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of falling. Strength and balance exercises will often help to improve your stability and your confidence.

Small changes at home, too, such as improving lighting or removing trip hazards, can also make a big difference. While small habits, like standing up slowly or wearing supportive shoes, can help reduce risk. You can get health support too. Regular eye tests help you see hazards more clearly. While reviewing medicines with a clinician may reduce dizziness or side effects.

If you have fallen before, you may feel less confident walking. This is very common. With support, gentle activity and the right advice, your confidence can improve again.

Questions and answers

Why do falls happen?

Falls often happen because of a mix of factors, such as muscle weakness, poor balance, poor vision, medication side effects, or trip hazards at home. Here is a fuller list of factors, balance and mobility difficulties – problems with balance, slower reactions, weak muscles, or difficulty walking can make it harder to stay on your feet. Environmental risks – Trip hazards such as loose rugs, cluttered floors, poor lighting, wet surfaces or unsuitable footwear can make falls more likely. Medication‑related risks – Some medicines can cause dizziness or unsteadiness, especially if they affect blood pressure, alertness, or balance. Vision or hearing changes – Poor eyesight or hearing can make it harder to judge distance and steps, notice hazards or react quickly and safely to what is happening around you. Health‑related fall risks – Some health conditions can affect balance and strength, including arthritis, diabetes (including neuropathy), Parkinson’s disease, heart problems or low blood pressure. Loss of confidence after a fall – After a fall, many people feel worried about walking or moving around. This can lead to doing less activity, which may weaken muscles and increase the risk of falling again.

Can most falls be prevented?

What should I do if I keep feeling unsteady?

What exercises help prevent falls?

How can I make my home safer?

Do medications increase fall risk?

How does vision affect falls?

Is it normal to feel anxious after a fall?

What footwear is safest?

Should I use a walking aid?

What should I do if I’ve had a fall but feel uninjured?