5 fall prevention tips that may help older adults
Millions of older people fall every year — and one of the reasons may be, in part, because of their vision. They may follow these easy tips to stay safe.
One second a person may be on their feet, the next second they may have fallen down. Falls can happen to anyone — but they may be particularly dangerous and scary for older adults.
Falls tend to happen all the time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year about 3 million adults ages 65 and older go to the emergency room because of a fall. But less than half tell their doctor.1
So, how might an older adult protect themselves from a fall? Their vision may be one of the most important factors. According to the American Public Health Association, any kind of visual impairment could double the risk of an older adult falling.2
Some good news: Falls may be preventable. There are some simple ways that older adults (and their caregivers) may cut their risk of falling. Here are 5 easy tips to keep them on their feet and, most importantly, healthy.
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Tip #1: Schedule regular eye exams
Certain age-related eye conditions may affect a person’s vision, according to Harvard Medical School. These might include:3
- Cataracts
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Glaucoma
- Age-related macular degeneration
These conditions may be treated in many cases. But first they must be diagnosed. “It’s important to get an annual in-person, comprehensive eye exam with a doctor of optometry to mitigate fall risk through visual impairment,” says Jacqueline M. Bowen, O.D., an eye care provider in Greeley, Colorado. “An exam can help reduce the risk of irreversible vision loss.”
That same appointment with a person’s eye care provider may help improve a person’s vision, too. “An exam can ensure that glasses or contact lens prescriptions are adjusted, if needed,” Dr. Bowen explains. In addition to anti-reflective lenses, Dr. Bowen says: “Simple things like reducing glare and enhancing contrast, plus properly adjusting multifocal lenses, all contribute to mobility, confidence and safety.”
Tip #2. Clear and clean away that clutter
People may not realize it, but their homes may have multiple falling hazards in them. That could make parts of the home dangerous during both daylight and nighttime hours. These hazards might include:
- Loose items on the floor, such as piles of books, laundry or newspapers
- Recently waxed or mopped floors
- Slippery surfaces in the bathroom, such as an unsecured bathmat or water on a tiled floor
- Unsecured doormats or throw rugs in a living room or den
Anything that may make an older adult have to watch their step in their house or living space may be something that’s worth removing or replacing with something more secure. For example, one way to make a slippery bathtub safer might be to add a grab bar to the wall.
Additionally, if a caregiver is involved, it might be a good idea for them to suggest or demonstrate safer cleaning techniques, such as regularly removing objects from pathways and dry sweeping or vacuuming.
Tip #3. Add lighting where it may be needed
Lighting may be an important way for an older adult to see at night — or even during the day, depending on how cloudy or rainy it is outside.
Some easy solutions may include:
- Go through each room in the home and test each lamp and lighting fixture. Replace lightbulbs that have burned out and make sure the wattage may be bright enough to see.
- Evaluate old light fixtures. If a room may be poorly lit, “bring in footlights and natural light, and replace dim lights,” says Dr. Bowen.
- Check lighting placement too. Small motion-sensor lights may be placed in every dark corner around a home. Line them along stairs or steps for extra light. Also, nightlights may be a great way to illuminate paths to and from bedrooms and bathrooms.
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Tip #4: Stay on top of medications
Older adults may take multiple medications regularly. Some of them may interact with certain foods or drinks, or with one another (or on their own), and cause side effects that may make an older adult drowsy or affect their thinking, which may increase their risk of falling, according to the CDC.4 Other prescription or over-the-counter drugs may also have side effects that may affect eyesight, creating problems such as blurry or double vision.
If an older adult experiences any vision symptoms after taking a medication, it’s important for them to alert their doctor immediately. It’s not a good idea to stop taking a medication without consulting a doctor first. They may be able to change the dosage or switch them to a drug with fewer side effects.
Tip #5: Ask a lot of questions
Falls may not be such an easy topic to talk about for some older adults. They may be a source of stress or fear. Older adults may be embarrassed to ask questions about how to prevent falls.
This might be because they worry it makes them appear frail or like they may be unsteady on their feet. They may also be worried that if they admit to a fall, it might mean they could lose their independence.
But asking the right questions could be the difference between being safe around the house — or really, anywhere else. Questions that older adults may want to ask their eye care providers or primary care doctors could include:
- Could a better eyeglasses or contact lens prescription help their vision and prevent a fall?
- Could taking certain medications increase their risk of falling? Could switching to a new medication or dosage cut that risk?
- Could certain exercises help make them stronger and help them avoid falls? (With physical limitations in mind, the answer may be yes.)
- Might they have any brochures or information about how to prevent falls?
Eye care providers or primary care doctors may be able to prevent a future fall with the right expert advice. If a loved one or caregiver comes to an appointment, they may also participate in the conversation, asking their own questions and taking notes.
Bottom line: Falls may be preventable. By taking the right steps and asking the right questions, an older adult could be safer and healthier in their home or living space.
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Sources:
- Facts about falls Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2024.
- Falls prevention in adults 65 years and over: a call for increased use of an evidenced-based falls prevention algorithm American Public Health Association, November 2023.
- 4 serious age-related eye conditions Harvard Medical School, September 2023.
- 5 medication safety tips for older adults Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last updated February 2024.
