Parent Had a Fall

Falls can happen for many reasons, and often several reasons at once. The floor was slippery. The lighting was poor. A medication caused dizziness. Eyesight has changed. Muscle strength has declined without anyone noticing. Sometimes there is no single cause.

What matters now is not assigning blame. Falls are not inevitable, and they are not a sign of failure. They are a signal that something in the environment or the body needs attention.

Even a fall with no injury can be significant. The fear of falling again often leads older adults to move less, which weakens muscles, which increases the risk of the next fall. Breaking that cycle early matters.

If the fall just happened

Stay calm and do not rush to move the person. Moving someone with an undetected injury can make things worse.

• Ask them how they feel and where it hurts
• Look for signs of serious injury: pain in the hip, back, or neck; inability to move a limb; confusion; loss of consciousness
• If you suspect a serious injury, call emergency services immediately and do not attempt to move them
• If they are conscious and not seriously hurt, help them get comfortable while you assess the situation
• If they are alone and cannot get up safely, they should call for help rather than attempting to get up unaided

Getting up from a fall incorrectly is a common cause of additional injury. If the person can move without pain, the safest way to get up is to roll to one side, push up to hands and knees, crawl to a sturdy piece of furniture, and use it to push up slowly.

In the hours and days after

• See a doctor, even if nothing seems broken. Some injuries are not immediately obvious. Hip fractures in particular can be missed
• Tell the doctor about any medications the person takes. Some medications affect balance and blood pressure
• Note exactly where and how the fall happened. This detail helps identify what to change
• Watch for signs of a head injury in the days following: unusual drowsiness, confusion, headache, vomiting

Understanding what increases fall risk helps you take action in the right places.

• Medications: Certain medications cause dizziness, drop in blood pressure when standing, or affect balance. Ask a doctor or pharmacist to review all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. This is one of the most impactful steps you can take.
• Vision: Outdated glasses prescriptions and conditions like cataracts or macular degeneration significantly affect depth perception and balance. An eye exam is worth scheduling.
• Footwear: Socks without grip, loose slippers, and shoes with poor support are common culprits. Well-fitting shoes with non-slip soles and low, broad heels make a real difference.
• Home hazards: Loose rugs, poor lighting, cluttered pathways, and lack of grab bars in bathrooms are among the most correctable risk factors.
• Muscle weakness: Strength and balance decline naturally with age, but can be improved with exercise. Even gentle movement programs have shown meaningful results.
• Health conditions: Low blood pressure, inner ear conditions, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and diabetes all affect balance. Managing these conditions well reduces fall risk.
• Recent illness or surgery: Periods of bed rest reduce strength quickly. Extra caution is needed during recovery.

Home modifications

Many falls happen at home, and many can be prevented with straightforward changes. A home safety assessment by an occupational therapist identifies specific hazards and recommends practical solutions.

• Install grab bars in the bathroom beside the toilet and in the shower or tub
• Add non-slip mats in the bathroom and kitchen
• Improve lighting throughout the home, especially on stairs and in hallways
• Remove loose rugs or secure them with non-slip backing
• Rearrange frequently used items so they are easy to reach without stretching or bending
• Consider a raised toilet seat and a shower chair or bench
• Ensure stair rails are secure and extend the full length of stairs

Exercise and physical therapy

Strength and balance training is one of the most effective ways to reduce fall risk. Programs do not need to be intensive to be helpful. Tai chi, gentle yoga, and physiotherapist-guided balance exercises all have good evidence behind them. A physiotherapist can design a program suited to the individual’s current abilities.

Assistive devices

A cane or walker used correctly provides meaningful stability. Many people resist these devices, but using one is a choice that preserves independence rather than diminishing it. A physiotherapist or occupational therapist can ensure the device is the right type and correctly fitted.

Medical alert systems

A personal emergency response device means that if a fall happens when no one is around, help can be called with the press of a button. Modern devices include automatic fall detection, GPS tracking, and two-way communication. They are worth considering for anyone who spends time alone.

Find vetted medical alert providers in the directory.

Home support

If daily tasks have become more difficult, in-home support can help someone continue living independently and safely. This ranges from a few hours of help each week to daily personal care assistance.

Find vetted home care providers in the directory.

Many regions offer publicly funded programs that provide home safety assessments, falls prevention exercise classes, home modification funding, and in-home support. These vary by location.

Check the directory under your province for local falls prevention programs and funded home support services.

Community organizations, seniors centres, and local health authorities are also good sources of information about what is available in your area at low or no cost.

The cost of falls prevention measures varies widely depending on what is needed.

• Home modifications range from low-cost (non-slip mats, improved lighting) to significant (stairlift installation, bathroom renovation)
• Some regions offer grants or subsidized programs for home modifications for older adults. Ask your local municipality or seniors services organization
• Medical alert devices typically involve a monthly subscription fee. Costs vary by provider and feature set
• Physiotherapy and occupational therapy may be covered in part by health insurance or publicly funded programs depending on your location
• In-home support may be publicly subsidized or privately paid depending on the level of care needed and where you live

It is worth speaking with a social worker or care coordinator to identify what funding you may be entitled to before paying out of pocket.

For the doctor

• Could any of the medications being taken be contributing to fall risk?
• Should balance or strength be formally assessed?
• Is a referral to physiotherapy or occupational therapy appropriate?
• Are there any underlying health conditions that should be investigated?
• How soon should we follow up?

For a physiotherapist or occupational therapist

• What specific exercises would help most?
• Is the current assistive device (if any) appropriate and correctly fitted?
• What changes to the home would have the most impact?
• How long before we expect to see improvement in balance and strength?

For a home care provider

• What tasks can you help with?
• How do you handle emergencies?
• Are your staff trained in falls prevention and safe mobility assistance?
• What happens if the regular caregiver is unavailable?

A home safety checklist can be a useful starting point for identifying hazards. Walk through each room and note: lighting levels, floor surfaces, stair rails, bathroom grab bars, furniture stability, and the location of frequently used items.

Keeping a medication list that includes all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements is useful for every medical appointment and especially valuable in an emergency.

If a medical alert device is being considered, a comparison of features and monthly costs across providers helps with the decision.

Printable checklists for many of these steps are on the resources page.

Based on what has been covered in this guide, the following types of providers may be helpful. You can find vetted options in the directory.

• Home Care providers for in-home support and personal care
• Medical Alert and Safety providers for emergency response devices
• Mobility and Equipment providers for grab bars, non-slip aids, walkers, and bathroom safety equipment
• Home Maintenance providers for installing grab bars, improving lighting, and other home modifications

Use the Find Help section of this site to browse vetted providers by category and location.

Start with the steps that take the least time and have the most impact.

1. Book a doctor’s appointment to discuss the fall, review medications, and assess whether further investigation is needed.
2. Do a walkthrough of the home and address the most obvious hazards first: loose rugs, poor lighting, missing grab bars.
3. Ask for a referral to an occupational therapist for a home safety assessment if hazards are not obvious or if there are mobility concerns.
4. Look into balance and strength exercises, either through a physiotherapist or a community falls prevention program.
5. Consider a medical alert device if the person spends time alone.
6. Look into available funding and publicly supported services in your area before paying out of pocket.