Top 7 Tips to Prevent Elderly Falls this Autumn Season

Falls are the leading cause of injury, disability, and injury-related mortality in the older adult population according to the National Institutes of Health, and nearly half of people age 65 or older do not resume independent living after sustaining a fall.Connecticut's eldercare experts at Assisted Living Home Care Serviceshave seen firsthand the threats to personal safety that seniors encounter on a daily basis in their own homes and are sharing ways to create a safe environment for National Fall Prevention Week from September 21-26, 2026.

“The unfortunate reality is that some of our clients are hospitalized after a moderate to severe injury and are unable to return home,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA, COO of Assisted Living Home Care Services. in Cheshire, Fairfield and Woodstock. “We work with families to prevent these accidents from happening in the first place by providing a complimentary home safety assessment at any residence in Connecticut.”

D’Aquila explains an experienced senior home care specialist uses a Quality Assurance Checklist to evaluate the living situation and identify areas of weakness, then makes recommendations such as reducing clutter, installing handrails or even utilizing a personal emergency response system, to effectively lower the risk of falls.

D’Aquila addresses the top causes of senior falls and seven proactive steps to prevent them:

1)Make an appointment with your health care provider- discuss medications, previous fall history and current health conditions. Side effects of certain medications like sedatives, antihistamines and some types of antidepressants may increase your risk of falling. If so, your health care provider may consider weaning you off such medications that make you tired or affect your thinking. Similarly, certain eye and ear disorders may increase your risk of falling, so discuss these conditions and how comfortable you are when you walk. For example, do you feel any dizziness, joint pain, shortness of breath, or numbness in your feet and legs?If so, your health care provider may evaluate your strength, balance and walking styleas well.

2)Keep moving. Physical activity goes a long way toward fall prevention. With your health care provider's approval, consider activities such as walking, water aerobics, or tai chi as these activities reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.If you avoid physical activity because you are afraid it will make a fall more likely, tell your health care provider. Your provider may recommend carefully monitored exercise programs or refer you to a physical therapist, who can create a custom exercise program aimed at improving your balance, flexibility and muscle strength.

3)Wear sensible shoes. Consider changing your footwear as part of your fall prevention plan. High heels, floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip, stumble and fall, in addition to walking in only socks. Instead, wear properly fitting, sturdy, flat shoes with nonskid soles.

4)Remove home hazards. Look around your home for potential fall hazards. Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords, and phone cords from walkways; move coffee tables, magazine racks and plant stands from high-traffic areas; secure loose rugs with double-sided tape, tacks or a slip-resistant backing or remove them entirely from your home. Use nonslip mats in the bathtub or shower and use a bath seat, which allows you to sit while showering.

5)Light up your living space- Keep your home brightly lit to avoid tripping on objects that are hard to see. Place night lights in your bedroom, bathroom and hallways and a lamp within reach of your bed in case you need to get up in the middle of the night.Make clear paths to light switches that aren't near room entrances. Consider trading traditional switches for glow-in-the-dark or illuminated ones.Turn on the lights before going up or down stairs.Store flashlights in easy-to-find places in case of power outages.

6)Consider in-home care – an onsite, quality caregiver can also provide a method of safety and helping to prevent falls in a senior’s home.The caregivers take on some of the household duties that become more difficult as people age and their mobility diminishes, as well as assistance with important personal care needs, such as showering and bathing as falls in the bathroom are very common.

7)Use assistive devices. Your health care provider might recommend using a cane or walker to keep you steady. Other assistive devices, like handrails for both sides of stairways, nonslip treads for bare-wood steps, a raised toilet seat or one with armrests, grab bars for the shower or tub, a sturdy plastic seat for the shower or tub, and a hand-held shower nozzle for bathing while sitting down, can help.

“Some independent seniors avoid using a cane or other physical equipment in public out of embarrassment, so we encourage the use of discreet wearable technological devices to provide peace of mind and a quick response in the event of an emergency,” adds D’Aquila. “In the home, wireless sensors and detectors that are barely noticeable can both prevent and detect falls.”

For example, through sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc., the Smart Caregiver product line of cordless bed pads, chair pads, and floor mats alerts caregivers via an alarm pager when the elderly person is trying to get out of their chair or bed. The weight-sensitive pressure pads detect when someone is up-and-about, giving a caregiver time to react and ensure the person uses their wheelchair, walker or cane.

Similarly,smallPersonal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) worn as a pendant or wristwatch can be life-changers should a fall occur.Specifically, the Belle W is an affordable yet cutting edge mobile personal response system that enables a senior to call for help knowing that assistance is quickly available.The device utilizes powerful microphones and HD voice technology to enable users to speak with operators 24/7.Operators can locate users in an emergency using Wi-Fi location services and quickly send help. Belle W works anywhere in the US where there is 4G LTE cellular coverage, and it is certified on the AT&T and Verizon 4G LTE networks.

“Some fall prevention solutions are easily installed and relatively inexpensive, while others may require a larger investment,” concludes D’Aquila.“Remember that an investment in fall prevention is an investment in your independence, and we encourage everyone to take steps today to stay safe and independent longer.”

About Assisted Living Home Care Services, Inc.

For 30 years, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Home Care Services, Inc. in Cheshire, Westport and Woodstock, has provided quality care to residents across the New England region. Its unique CarePlus program blends personal care by over 700 employees and caregivers with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. Assisted Living Home Care Services was ranked on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies and recognized by Home Care Pulse® as a “Best of Home Care Leader In Excellence”, a designation given to the best home care providers in the nation. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203.634.8668.