Website of the UK government

Who is at risk?

About one third of people over 65 fall each year, with higher rates for over 75s.

Up to 20 per cent of falls require medical attention. Falls make up half of the hospital admissions for accidental injury, especially hip fractures.

Half of the falls reported by older people follow a trip or an accident. Some 90 per cent of hip fractures are caused by a fall.

Fortunately, around 50 per cent of falls are preventable.

Assessing your level of risk

There are things to look out for that can help you and your family or carers know whether you are at risk of having a fall. To find out what the risks are, you can ask for a falls risk assessment either at your doctor's surgery or at a specialist clinic. An assessment may be done by social care workers, care home staff, hospital staff or a primary health care team.

The falls assessment aims to uncover anything that might make you more likely to fall and highlights specific things that can be done to help.

Following the assessment, the doctor or nurse will prepare a plan for you to help reduce your risk of falling in future.

• Health and social care assessment (disabled people section)

Health and social care assessments in your local area

You can find out about health and social care assessments in your local area and you may be able to apply for one online. The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website.

• Find out about a needs assessment by social services Opens new window

Make your home safer

There are some simple changes you can make at home that will help you to prevent falls, like installing hand rails to keep you steady in the bathroom or out in the garden. 

Some local authorities offer a 24-hour community alarm service. The service provides help and reassurance in an emergency to people who are elderly and at risk of falls. You can keep your alarm with you at all times as a pendant around your neck or on your wrist. If you have a fall you press the button on the pendant to activate a separate alarm unit with a powerful microphone and loud speaker, letting you talk to a member of staff who will get help.

Local social services and housing departments will assess what you need to help you live more independently. They can also provide practical help with adapting your home.

You might also consider the option of sheltered housing, where you maintain your independence but have background support to hand when you need it.

• Supported housing schemes (disabled people section)

Keeping yourself steady

To stay firmly on your feet, a few simple changes - like making sure stairs are kept clear and well lit – can make all the difference and keep you mobile.

You will benefit if you:

Exercise

Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent falls, as well as making you more confident and able to enjoy life. Help the Aged's video 'Be Strong, Be Steady' includes strength and balance exercises to help reduce your risk of a fall.

• Download Help the Aged's 'Be Strong, Be Steady' video Opens new window

What to do if you have a fall

Try not to panic but get help by making a noise like banging or shouting, using your personal alarm or dialling 999.

Make sure you keep warm, even just by tensing your arm and leg muscles. Wrap yourself with anything warm to hand.

Afterwards, it's important to tell your doctor what's happened. That way you can receive effective help.

Help and advice

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) publishes a booklet, 'Falls: the assessment and prevention of falls in older people'. To order a copy, phone the NHS Response Line on 0870 1555 455.

The Balance Training website helps you to identify your risk of falling and to plan an exercise programme around your needs and requirements.

• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Opens new window
• Balance Training Opens new window

More useful links

• Support to stay in your own home