Fall Prevention for Older Adults: CDC Facts and a Home Checklist

A fall is often the moment a family's caregiving story begins. "Mom fell" is one of the most common phone calls adult children get, and it can change everything: a broken hip, a hospital stay, a fear of walking that leads to less activity and more falls. The good news is that falls are not an unavoidable part of aging. The CDC's research points to a handful of steps that make a real difference.

The facts, from the CDC

• Falls are common. More than one in four adults 65 and older falls each year. That is more than 14 million older adults reporting a fall annually.
• Falls are the leading cause of injury, both fatal and nonfatal, among adults 65 and older.
• Fall deaths are rising. The age-adjusted fall death rate for older adults rose 21%, from 64.7 per 100,000 in 2018 to 78.4 per 100,000 in 2024.
• Hip fractures are mostly from falls. Falls cause the large majority of hip fracture emergency visits and hospitalizations.
• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury in older adults.

One fall also raises the chance of another. Many people who fall become afraid of falling, move less, and lose strength, which increases the risk again.

What STEADI is

STEADI stands for Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries. It is the CDC's fall prevention program for health care providers, built around three steps: screen for fall risk, assess the factors that can be changed, and intervene to reduce risk.

STEADI also offers free brochures for families, including Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults, Stay Independent, What You Can Do to Prevent Falls, Family Caregivers: Protect Your Loved Ones from Falling, and a chair rise exercise sheet. Several are available in Spanish. You can find them on the CDC STEADI resources page.

What the CDC recommends

The CDC lists these steps to prevent falls and hip fractures:

1. Talk to the doctor. Ask for a fall risk evaluation. Ask the doctor or pharmacist to review all medicines for ones that cause dizziness or sleepiness. Ask whether vitamin D is appropriate.
2. Get screened for osteoporosis and treated if needed, so a fall is less likely to break a bone.
3. Do strength and balance exercises that make the legs stronger and improve balance.
4. Get eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year, and update glasses.
5. Make the home safer by removing trip hazards, adding grab bars and stair railings, and improving lighting.

Medicare's yearly Wellness visit is a natural time to bring up falls. Bring your parent's medication list; our medication management guide shows how to make one.

Strength and balance: finding the right program

Of all the CDC's recommendations, exercise is the one families most often skip, usually because a parent says, "I'm too old for that" or "I'm afraid I'll fall doing it." The right program is designed for exactly that worry.

• Physical therapy is a good starting point after a fall or if walking has become unsteady. A therapist can build a plan around your parent's specific weaknesses. Medicare Part B may cover outpatient therapy when it is medically necessary; ask the doctor for a referral.
• Community fall prevention classes are offered in many areas through Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers, YMCAs, and parks departments. The Older Americans Act supports falls prevention and other health promotion programs. Ask for evidence-based programs, which have been studied and shown to work. Some, such as tai chi-based classes, focus on balance; others focus on strength or on reducing fear of falling.
• At-home exercises, such as the CDC STEADI chair rise exercise, can be done daily with a sturdy chair. Check with the doctor or therapist before starting.

To find local classes, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

When fear of falling takes over

Fear after a fall is real and understandable. But staying in a chair to avoid falling weakens muscles and worsens balance, which raises risk. Signs that fear is shrinking your parent's world include skipping church or outings, refusing to bathe, or not walking to the mailbox anymore.

Gentle encouragement, a physical therapist's guidance, and visible safety changes at home can rebuild confidence. Mention it to the doctor, too: anxiety and low mood after a fall are common and treatable.

Questions to ask the doctor

• Is my parent at higher risk of falling? Can you do a fall risk screening?
• Could any of their medicines be making them dizzy, sleepy, or unsteady?
• Do they feel lightheaded when standing up? Should we check blood pressure lying and standing?
• Would physical therapy help with strength, balance, or walking?
• Is their walker or cane the right type and height?
• Should they be screened for osteoporosis?
• Are there community balance or exercise programs you recommend?

Room-by-room home checklist

Walk through your parent's home with fresh eyes, ideally at night when lighting problems show up. Adapted from CDC home safety guidance.

Floors and walkways

• Clear paths: no cords, clutter, shoes, or stacks of paper on the floor
• Remove throw rugs, or secure them with double-sided tape or non-slip backing
• Rearrange furniture so walkways are wide and clear
• Fix loose or uneven flooring and carpet edges

Stairs and steps

• Sturdy railings on both sides of all stairs
• Light switches at the top and bottom of stairs
• Fix loose or broken steps; consider contrasting tape on step edges
• Keep stairs completely clear

Bathroom

• Grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and next to the toilet
• Non-slip mat or strips in the tub or shower
• Shower chair or tub bench and a hand-held shower head, if helpful
• Raised toilet seat or toilet safety frame, if getting up is hard
• Night light between bedroom and bathroom

Bedroom

• Lamp within reach of the bed
• Night lights along the path to the bathroom
• Phone or alert device within reach of the bed
• Bed at a height where feet rest flat on the floor when sitting

Kitchen

• Everyday items on lower shelves, about waist height
• No step stools; if one is truly needed, a sturdy one with a handle
• Wipe up spills right away

Outside and entryways

• Bright outdoor lights at entrances
• Railings on outdoor steps
• Fix cracked or uneven walkways
• Plan for ice, wet leaves, and rain

Footwear and daily habits

• Wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes with non-slip soles, inside and out. Avoid walking in socks or loose slippers. CDC STEADI has a sheet on feet and footwear.
• Stand up slowly, especially after lying down or eating.
• Use the walker or cane every time, not just on bad days.
• Keep a phone or alert device on the body, not across the room. See our technology guide.
• Stay active. Moving less after a scare often makes falls more likely, not less.

After a fall or hospital stay

The weeks after a fall or hospital stay are a high-risk time. Ask about home health or outpatient physical therapy before discharge, and do a home safety walk-through before your parent comes home. Our guide to the days after a hospital stay walks through it. For bigger changes, such as a walk-in shower or a ramp, see home modifications, including funding sources for veterans and low-income homeowners.

If you are worried, you are paying attention, and that is exactly what your parent needs. Small changes add up.

Last reviewed October 19, 2026. General information only, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Benefit rules and amounts change, so confirm with the agency before you decide. See our disclaimer.