Preventing falls at home for older Australians

Falls can be a worry for older Australians and their loved ones. Sometimes it may start with a near-miss. A parent mentions they almost slipped getting to the bathroom at night. Or maybe you notice they seem a little less steady than usual moving around the house.

Unfortunately, falls are the number one cause of accidental injury with 1 in 4 older Australians aged 65 and over having at least one fall each year.

With the right awareness and support, it can be possible to reduce the risk of a fall. Understanding fall risks, creating a safer home and having consistent in-home support may all help your loved one stay safe, confident and independent at home for longer.

Complications around falls

A fall often causes physical effects like pain and bruising and could also lead to a hospital stay. But it may also have an emotional effect by impacting confidence.

After a fall, some older people may become more cautious and start moving or going out less, or avoid activities because they no longer feel steady. Over time, that can affect strength, mobility, social connection and independence.

Many families may start looking into accessing Support at Home funding after their loved one has a fall. But waiting until after a fall could mean missing the chance to reduce the risk beforehand. Many falls are preventable and small changes could make a significant difference.

Understanding fall risk factors in older people

The risk of a fall can be increased by both the person and their surroundings. Personal factors may include balance or mobility issues, while environmental factors may include clutter or poor lighting at home.

Understanding what can increase the risk may often be the first step in preventing falls. Here’s a list of some of the more common risk factors:

Physical factors

• Reduced muscle strength and balance
• Vision changes
• Dizziness or blood pressure fluctuations
• Medication side effects, particularly from sedatives or blood pressure medication
• Chronic conditions such as Parkinson's, arthritis or diabetes.

Behavioural factors

• Rushing, especially when getting up quickly
• Not using a walking aid consistently
• Carrying items that obscure vision or affect balance
• Overestimating ability after illness or a period of inactivity.

Environmental factors

• Poor lighting, especially at night
• Loose rugs, cluttered pathways and uneven surfaces
• Slippery bathroom and kitchen floors
• Lack of grab rails or support near the toilet, bath or bed
• Inappropriate footwear or walking aids.

Learn more about falls awareness and risks in our recent webinar.

Home modifications to help reduce the risk of falls

A safer home can start with small, practical changes. Looking at each room individually may make it easier to spot hazards, reduce risk and support safer movement throughout the day and night.

Bedroom

• Keep lighting within easy reach of the bed
• Clear a path between bed and the bathroom
• Keep essentials within easy reach to avoid overreaching or bending
• Consider installing a bed rail or raised bed height if getting up is difficult.

Bathroom

• Make sure the bathroom light switch is easy to reach and near the entry
• Install grab rails beside the toilet and in the shower or bath
• Use a non-slip mat inside and outside the shower
• Consider a shower chair or handheld showerhead for stability.

Kitchen

• Ensure good lighting over benches and the cooktop
• Store frequently used items at waist height to avoid climbing or deep bending
• Clean up spills as soon as possible
• Use a sturdy step stool for reaching higher shelves.

Living areas and hallways

• Good lighting throughout, particularly in hallways at night
• Remove or secure loose rugs
• Keep walkways clear of cords, furniture legs and clutter
• Consider arranging furniture so there are stable support points when moving around.

Outdoors

• Make sure outdoor areas are well-lit
• Repair uneven paving, steps or paths
• Keep pathways clear of leaves, moss or wet surfaces
• Use handrails on all external steps.

Other important fall prevention strategies in aged care

While a safer environment is key to preventing falls in older Australians, other safeguards also involve regular movement, allied health support and health checks.

Exercise and allied health

Strength exercises can be one of the most effective ways to reduce falls risk. There is evidence that activities such as tai chi, hydrotherapy and targeted physiotherapy may help improve balance, build confidence and support steadier movement.

An allied health professional may also be able to help assess risk and an early health review may help reduce falls at home by increasing confidence and mobility.

A physiotherapist can carry out a falls risk assessment, while an occupational therapist can assess your loved one’s home and recommend modifications that may support safer movement and everyday independence.

Medication, vision and health checks

Some falls risk factors may be easy to overlook, such as:

• Some medications that might increase dizziness or affect balance
• Unnoticed vision changes, as Australian research has found low vision affects an estimated 11% of people aged 70 to 79, with prevalence rising sharply with age
• Issues like low blood pressure, urinary urgency or inner ear problems, as they may all increase risk if not properly managed.

Regular health checks may help identify some of these issues earlier and make it easier to get the right support in place.

Always speak with a doctor or other qualified medical professional before making any changes to medications or treatment.

How an independent support worker may help

Practical, consistent support at home can play an important role in falls prevention. An independent support worker can help with:

• Everyday tasks that carry a higher risk, such as showering, dressing, light household jobs, and morning and evening routines
• Preparing the home for the day or night to make it easier to move around safely
• Accompanying your loved one to health appointments or social activities
• Noticing and raising concerns about potential home hazards
• Picking up on small changes in mobility, balance or confidence.

Extra help to stay safe at home longer

Awareness and action can make a real difference in preventing falls at home. When put together, a safer home environment, regular exercise, health checks and the right practical support may help keep your loved one safer at home for longer.

If you’ve found this article helpful, you might like to share it with your loved one or with family members, as it might be a useful starting point for a conversation about safety at home.

If you think your loved one could benefit from extra support to help keep them safe and independent at home longer, sign up to Mable and browse independent support worker profiles on our platform.