4 Slip and Fall Prevention Tips for Older Adults 

Tips for Fall Prevention 

Preventing falls in older people starts with identifying risks and then striving to minimize them. Follow these tips to lower the chances that a wrong step will turn into a major health problem for yourself or a loved one.

1. Talk to Your Healthcare Provider 

A conversation with your doctor can reveal hazards in your daily life and provide you with guidance for addressing them. If you’re on either Original Medicare from the federal government or a Medicare Advantage plan from a private insurance carrier, your insurance fully covers the cost of an Annual Wellness Visit.This visit includes a Health Risk Assessment, making it a great opportunity to discuss concerns about falling and develop a plan to stay safe. 

Be sure to bring up any dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, or pain that interferes with your balance or ability to walk. Mention if you tend to feel lightheaded when you stand up after sitting or lying down, which might indicate a drop in your blood pressure. Your doctor may check your blood pressure and offer recommendations like adjusting the combination of medications you take, starting a vitamin D supplement, or seeing a foot specialist. 

2. Take Precautions for Preventing Falls at Home 

According to CDC researchers, most of the falls that send older adults to the emergency room happen at home. You could protect yourself or a loved one by making some changes around the house or apartment: 

• Clear away any objects on the floor or loose rugs you might trip over. 

• Store items that you need to use frequently in spots you can reach easily without a ladder or stepstool. 

• Install grab bars and place non-slip mats in the bathroom. 

• Make sure there are plenty of bright lights installed throughout the home and on staircases. 

• Have handrails on both sides of every staircase and avoid using any steps that are broken or uneven. 

• Wear supportive shoes that fit well both inside and outside the home. 

• Consider a medical alert system that will call for assistance if you fall. 

• During the winter, use ice melt salt to clear your walkways. 

Explore what resources are available to manage the costs of modifications to your home. For example, some states offer home improvement grants for people with low incomes. Local organizations may provide loans for materials or building help from volunteers. 

Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover home improvements. However, Medicare Advantage plans may provide additional benefits. Depending on the specific carrier and plan, you may be able to access funds to pay for a variety of items that make your home safer. 

3. Exercise to Reduce Your Risk 

Regular exercise is vital to prevent chronic conditions and maintain your quality of life as you age. To lower the chances of falling or breaking a bone, you should incorporate exercises that keep your legs strong and improve your balance into your weekly routine.  

Talk to your healthcare provider about what activities you can safely participate in and would benefit from the most. Some possibilities include: 

• Chair rise exercise: Repeatedly stand up from a seated position to strengthen the muscles in your thighs. 

• Toe taps: Lift and lower your toes while sitting to maintain blood circulation and strength in your lower legs. 

• Tai chi: Complete a series of slow, gentle motions based on ancient Chinese martial arts to achieve greater balance and flexibility. 

• Yoga: Hold poses that keep your joints and muscles flexible and improve your balance. 
  

4. Keep an Eye on Your Vision

If you have trouble seeing clearly, you’re more likely to trip and fall. That’s one of the many reasons to take care of your eye health. Get checked for conditions that affect your sight — like macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma — and keep any prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses up to date. 

Original Medicare only covers a very limited range of medically necessary vision services. These include diagnostic tests and treatment for macular degeneration, cataract surgery, and glaucoma screenings.  

To cover the costs of routine eye exams and glasses or contacts, you’ll need to enroll in either standalone vision insurance or a Medicare Advantage plan that features additional vision benefits. There are also some Medicare Supplement plans (insurance from private carriers that helps with the out-of-pocket costs not included in Original Medicare coverage) that offer vision care benefits. 

An accidental fall can have serious consequences for older people. Protect yourself and your loved ones by anticipating potential dangers, taking steps to keep yourself safe, and seeking help when you need it. With support from your healthcare provider, insurance, and local organizations, you’ll be better prepared for everyday risks.