Care about mom

Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death among adults 65 and older. More than one in four seniors falls each year, and the fear of falling can itself become limiting — causing older adults to move less, become weaker, and ironically increase their fall risk over time.

The good news is that most falls are preventable. Here are the most effective, evidence-based strategies for keeping your mom safe at home.

Start With a Home Safety Assessment

Before making changes, walk through your mom’s home with fresh eyes — as if you’ve never been there before. Look at every room from a fall-risk perspective. Better yet, ask her doctor to refer her to an occupational therapist who specializes in home safety assessments. Many Medicare Advantage plans cover this service.

The Bathroom: Where Most Falls Happen

The bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house for seniors. Wet surfaces, getting in and out of the tub, and the motion of sitting and standing from the toilet all create high fall-risk moments. Address these first:

• Install grab bars: Place them next to the toilet and inside the shower or tub. These are not the same as towel bars — they must be anchored into wall studs to hold weight safely.
• Add a shower chair or bench: Sitting to bathe eliminates the balance challenge of standing in a wet shower.
• Use a handheld showerhead: This lets your mom bathe while seated without awkward reaching.
• Non-slip bath mat: Both inside the tub and on the floor outside it. Replace if suction cups are worn.
• Raised toilet seat: Makes sitting and standing significantly easier for those with weak legs or hip issues.

Throughout the House

Remove Tripping Hazards

• Remove or secure loose rugs — these are one of the top causes of falls. If she won’t give them up, use double-sided tape or non-slip backing on every edge.
• Clear pathways of clutter, especially between the bedroom and bathroom (the nighttime path)
• Secure electrical and phone cords against walls so they’re not crossing walkways
• Remove low furniture like ottomans and coffee tables from main traffic paths

Improve Lighting

Poor lighting is a major and overlooked fall risk. As we age, eyes need significantly more light to see clearly. Upgrade to brighter bulbs throughout the home and add:

• Night lights in the hallway, bathroom, and bedroom
• Motion-activated lights for the path from bed to bathroom
• Light switches at both the top and bottom of stairs
• A lamp or light switch within easy reach of the bed

Make Stairs Safer

• Install sturdy handrails on both sides of every staircase
• Apply non-slip treads or strips to each step
• Mark the edge of each step with high-contrast tape if vision is an issue
• Consider whether a stairlift is appropriate if stairs are frequently used

Footwear Matters More Than You Think

Slippers and socks without grips are involved in a surprising number of home falls. Encourage your mom to wear shoes or slippers with non-slip soles and proper heel support whenever she’s up and moving. Bare feet and smooth-soled slippers are a genuine hazard on hardwood or tile floors.

Exercise: The Most Underrated Prevention Strategy

Strength and balance exercises are among the most effective fall prevention tools available — more effective than most home modifications alone. Programs like Tai Chi have been shown in multiple studies to reduce fall rates by up to 47%. Even simple exercises done daily can make a meaningful difference:

• Chair stands: Sitting and standing from a chair without using hands, repeated 10 times
• Single leg stands: Standing on one foot while holding a counter, building toward 30 seconds
• Heel-to-toe walking: Walking in a straight line placing heel directly in front of toes
• Ankle circles and calf raises: Improve stability and circulation

Ask her doctor for a referral to physical therapy for a personalized fall prevention exercise program — this is covered by Medicare when medically indicated.

Medication Review Is Critical

Many common medications increase fall risk by causing dizziness, drowsiness, or blood pressure changes when standing up (called orthostatic hypotension). These include blood pressure medications, sleeping aids, antihistamines, and some antidepressants. Ask her doctor or pharmacist to review all medications — prescription and over-the-counter — specifically looking for fall risk.

Vision and Hearing Checks

Uncorrected vision problems significantly increase fall risk. Make sure your mom has had an eye exam in the past year and is wearing her correct prescription. Bifocals can actually increase fall risk on stairs — talk to her eye doctor about single-vision lenses for activities involving stairs or uneven surfaces. Hearing loss is also linked to falls because hearing plays a role in spatial awareness and balance.

Consider a Medical Alert System

Even with all preventive measures in place, falls can still happen. A medical alert system ensures that if your mom does fall, she can get help quickly — even if she can’t reach a phone. Look for a system with automatic fall detection, which calls for help even if she’s unable to press the button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover fall prevention programs?

Medicare covers a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit and annual wellness visits where fall risk is assessed. Physical therapy for balance and strength is covered when medically indicated. Some Medicare Advantage plans also cover community fall prevention programs like Tai Chi classes.

What should I do immediately after my mom has a fall?

Don’t rush her to get up. Check for injury first — severe pain, inability to move a limb, or head injury warrants calling 911. If she’s not injured and wants to get up, help her roll to her side, push up to a sitting position, and use a sturdy chair for support. After any fall, schedule a doctor’s visit to identify the cause and prevent future falls.

At what age should I start worrying about fall prevention?

Fall prevention is worth thinking about from age 65 onward, but becomes especially important after 75 or after any fall has occurred. A fall at any age is a signal to take prevention seriously — research shows that people who fall once are at significantly higher risk of falling again.