Fall prevention tips for older adults

One minute you're carrying the laundry basket to the washer, and the next, you trip and wind up on the floor. If you're lucky, you get up, brush yourself off and continue with your day. But even a small misstep can lead to a life-changing injury. Knowing how to prevent falls helps older adults stay healthy and active and continue to live independently.

Mission Health is home to CarePartners PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly). PACE is uniquely designed to help older adults live safely and independently by addressing the causes of falls and offering personalized support. 

The importance of fall prevention

Anyone — at any age — can fall and get injured.

But older people are more likely to fall and experience a serious injury as a result. According to the CDC, one in four people over age 65 fall each year. About 3 million older people visit emergency rooms after a fall, and around 1 million require a hospital stay. Falls can cause hip fractures and serious brain injuries, which increase the chance of disability and even death.

Here’s how PACE helps reduce fall risk across five key areas:

1. Identifying hazards in the home

It's common, especially as we age, for falls to happen in and around the home. The PACE care team includes regular home safety assessments. An occupational therapist or nurse may visit the home and look for things like:

• Sturdy handrails on stairs and outdoor steps
• Lighting in hallways and stairwells
• Clear walkways free from clutter or loose rugs
• Secured cords, wires and thresholds
• Safe bathroom setups

PACE care teams work with participants and families to correct these risks, often coordinating or assisting with home modifications.

“The home assessments and modifications we make in the home can make a big difference. Typically, people might get suggestions on how to make their home safe, but PACE has this unique opportunity to help make those changes in person,” said CarePartners PACE Physical Therapist Nathan Ziemba. 

2. Making modifications to increase safety

Rather than waiting for a fall to happen, PACE takes a proactive approach by recommending and arranging preventive home modifications, such as: 

• Nightlights or motion-sensor lights inside and outside the home
• Grab bars in showers and next to toilets
• Ensuring rugs are flat and non-slippery
• Evaluating and reinforcing stair railings or installing a ramp for safe home entry access

Since over 80% of falls in the home occur in the bathroom, PACE pays particular attention to bathroom safety, helping participants maintain their independence without sacrificing their well-being. PACE can provide equipment such as shower chairs, raised toilet seats or handheld shower heads to help prevent falls.

3. Providing education and behavioral support 

PACE provides education to participants and caregivers about everyday habits that reduce fall risk, such as:

• Keeping frequently used items within easy reach
• Avoiding ladders or step stools
• Carrying small loads that allow one hand to hold a rail
• Wearing properly fitting shoes with good traction
• Watching for pets underfoot, especially at night

PACE physical therapists also train participants in the safe use of mobility aids, like canes and walkers, ensuring they’re used correctly and consistently.

4. Identifying and managing medical conditions

Some chronic conditions that may increase fall risk factors include:

• Heart disease
• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Pain disorders
• Numbness in the legs and feet
• Parkinson's disease
• Cognitive impairment
• Vision loss

The PACE care team – including doctors, nurses, physical therapists and pharmacists — regularly reviews each participant’s medical conditions and medications to reduce risk factors.  They work to adjust prescriptions, manage pain and reduce side effects, like dizziness or drowsiness that can lead to falls.

PACE also promotes nutrition, hydration and physical activity, including tailored strength and balance exercises that help prevent muscle loss and improve stability.

5. Having regular doctor’s visits to address risk factors

Receiving regular medical checkups and routine screenings — including vision, hearing and medication reviews— help to catch changes early and intervene before a fall occurs.

PACE participants often attend the PACE center for meals, activities or therapy, which gives the care team regular visibility into changes in gait, mood and overall health. Close monitoring helps prevent emergencies and promotes continued independence.

PACE helps reduce falls not just through treatment, but through prevention, education and personalized support.  By coordinating care across home safety, medical management, therapy and lifestyle habits, PACE helps older adults stay active, healthy and live independently in their homes for as long as possible.

If you’re considering CarePartners PACE for yourself or a loved one, call us at (828) 213-8442 to get more information or visit our center at 286 Overlook Road in Asheville, North Carolina.