Preventing Falls at Home: A Practical Checklist for Families

Falls are one of the most common reasons older people lose confidence at home. According to NICE, around 1 in 3 people aged 65 and over, and about half of people aged 80 and over, fall at least once a year. In England in 2019/20 there were around 234,800 emergency hospital admissions for falls among people aged 65 and over.

The good news is that many everyday risks are easy to spot and fix. This checklist is designed to be used on your next visit to your parent’s home. It is general, common-sense guidance, not medical advice. If your parent has fallen or is worried about falling, talk to their GP, who can arrange a falls assessment or refer them to local NHS falls services.

Start with a walk-through

Ask your parent to show you how they move around the house on an ordinary day: from the bed to the toilet, from the chair to the kitchen, up and down the stairs. Watch where they reach for furniture, where they hesitate and where the light is poor. You will learn more in ten minutes than from any list.

Room-by-room checklist

Hallways and stairs

Remove clutter from floors and stairs: shoes, bags, piles of post.
Make sure there is a sturdy handrail, ideally on both sides of the stairs.
Check that stair carpet is secure and not worn at the edges.
Put light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs.
Mark the edge of steps with contrasting tape if they are hard to see.

Living room

Move or tape down loose rugs and trailing cables.
Arrange furniture so there is a clear, wide route through the room.
Check that the favourite chair is a good height, with arms to push up from.
Keep the phone, remote, glasses and drink within easy reach.

Kitchen

Store everyday items between waist and shoulder height, so there is no need to climb or bend low.
Wipe up spills straight away.
Avoid using step stools or chairs to reach high cupboards.
Consider a perching stool for preparing food.

Bathroom

Use a non-slip mat in the bath or shower and outside it.
Consider grab rails by the toilet, bath and shower.
A raised toilet seat or shower seat can make a big difference.
Keep the floor dry and clear.

Your local council’s occupational therapy service can often advise on equipment and adaptations. A needs assessment is free and anyone can ask for one.

Bedroom

Make sure the bed is a comfortable height to get in and out of.
Put a lamp or touch light within reach of the bed.
Keep a clear path from the bed to the door.
Avoid long nightwear that can catch underfoot.

Lighting and the night-time route

Many falls happen on the way to the toilet at night. It is worth giving this route special attention.

Plug-in night lights or motion-sensor lights along the route from bedroom to toilet.
Brighter bulbs in hallways and on landings.
Encourage your parent to sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before standing up.
A commode or urinal by the bed may help some people, at least for a while.

If your parent is getting up often in the night, mention it to the GP. Our guide to overnight care explains when it may be time for someone to be there at night.

Footwear and clothing

Well-fitting shoes or slippers with a back, a firm sole and good grip.
Avoid backless slippers, worn-out soles and walking in socks or tights on smooth floors.
Trousers and dressing gowns that do not drag on the floor.
If your parent has foot pain or problems with their feet, the GP can advise on a referral to a podiatrist.

Exercise, health and check-ups

Keeping active helps maintain strength and balance. The right kind of exercise depends on the person, so ask the GP about strength and balance programmes or local NHS falls services. Do not start a new exercise routine for a frail parent without advice.

Other things worth raising with the GP:

Medication. Some medicines can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Ask for a medication review, especially if there have been recent changes.
Eyesight. Book regular eye tests and keep glasses clean and to hand.
Feeling dizzy or faint. Always worth reporting.
A previous fall. Even a fall without injury is a reason to mention it.

If your parent does fall

Make sure they have a way to call for help, such as a personal alarm or a phone they can reach from the floor.
Talk through what they would do if they fell, and practise getting help.
If they are hurt, cannot get up or hit their head, call 999 or NHS 111 as appropriate.
After any fall, let the GP know.

How a carer can help

A carer cannot remove every risk, but having someone there at the right moments can help your parent feel steadier and more confident at home. Carers introduced through Viola support everyday living. They do not carry out medical procedures or provide physiotherapy. In practice, a carer might:

Be there during the riskiest times of day, such as getting up, washing and going to bed.
Help with showering and dressing, which is where many people feel least safe. See our page on personal care.
Keep floors clear, wipe up spills and keep everyday things within reach.
Walk alongside your parent, indoors or outside, so they keep moving with someone nearby.
Encourage any exercises the GP or NHS team has recommended.
Notice changes, such as new unsteadiness or confusion, and let the family know.

For example, imagine your dad has started holding on to furniture and has stopped showering because he is afraid of slipping. A two-hour morning visit to help with washing, dressing and breakfast could make the start of his day much safer. Our guide to how many hours of care your parent actually needs can help you work out what fits.

How Viola can help

Viola is an introductory agency in London. We introduce families to vetted, self-employed carers, and you choose the carer and agree the arrangements with them directly. Hourly care is £20 an hour, the same rate every day, with travel included. A suitable carer can usually be introduced within 48 hours. If your parent is coming home after a fall or a hospital stay, our guide to care after hospital discharge may also be useful.

If you are worried about your parent falling, tell us a little about them through our enquiry form or call us. We can talk through what kind of support might help them feel safer at home.

Frequently asked questions

How common are falls in older people? According to NICE, around 1 in 3 people aged 65 and over, and about half of people aged 80 and over, fall at least once a year.

What is the most important change to make at home? It depends on the home, but clearing floors, improving lighting (especially on the night-time route to the toilet) and good footwear are simple and effective starting points.

Who can assess my parent’s risk of falling? Start with the GP, who can arrange a falls assessment or refer to local NHS falls services. The council can also do a free needs assessment.

Can a carer help prevent falls? A carer can help at the riskiest times of day, such as washing and dressing, keep the home clear and support your parent to stay active. They do not provide medical treatment or physiotherapy.