Don’t Let a Fall Get You Down: Top 10 Causes of Falls at Home and How to Stay Safe
Top 10 Causes of Falls at Home for Older Adults
Falls are one of the most common and serious health concerns affecting older Australians — but they are not an inevitable part of ageing.
A fall can happen in a split second, but the impact can last much longer. Beyond physical injuries, a fall can affect confidence, independence, and a person’s willingness to continue doing the activities they enjoy.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), falls remain the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisations among older Australians. In recent years, hundreds of thousands of older Australians have required hospital care following falls, highlighting just how important falls prevention and early support can be.
The good news? Many falls can be prevented.
Occupational Therapists work with older adults to identify risks, make practical changes, and find solutions that help people continue living safely and confidently in their own homes.
Why Do Falls Happen?
Fall rarely happens because of one single thing.
Often, it is a combination of small changes that gradually increases risk over time.
You might notice:
Balance is not quite as steady as it used to be.
Walking feels more tiring.
Getting up from a chair takes more effort.
Confidence outdoors has reduced.
Tasks that were once easy now require more concentration.
The home environment has become harder to navigate safely.
These changes can happen slowly, which means they are often overlooked until a fall occurs.
Recognising these early warning signs allows practical strategies to be put in place before a serious injury happens.
Signs Someone May Be at Increased Risk of Falling
Falls risk can look different for everyone. Some common signs include:
✓ Holding onto furniture, walls, or benchtops while walking.
✓ Feeling unsteady when turning or changing direction.
✓ Avoiding activities due to fear of falling.
✓ Difficulty standing up from chairs or the toilet.
✓ Feeling tired or short of breath during daily activities.
✓ Experiencing slips, trips, near misses, or previous falls.
✓ Relying on family members more than usual for everyday tasks.
Many of these risks can be addressed with simple changes around the home and the right support. Let's explore some of the most common causes of falls and practical ways to improve safety.
1. Lighting: Helping You See Hazards Before They Become Problems
Good lighting is one of the simplest ways to improve safety at home.
Poor lighting can make it difficult to identify hazards such as:
Uneven flooring.
Steps.
Furniture edges.
Electrical cords.
Pets.
Changes in floor surfaces.
Night-time trips to the bathroom can be particularly risky, especially when waking suddenly and moving around in low light.
Simple solutions may include:
💡 Sensor lights in hallways and bathrooms.
💡 A bedside lamp that is easy to reach.
💡 Brighter globes where appropriate.
💡 Improved outdoor lighting around pathways and entrances.
Small lighting changes can make a big difference to confidence and safety.
2. Clutter and Trip Hazards: The Risks We Stop Noticing
One of the interesting things about home hazards is that they often become “invisible” because we see them every day.
A rug that has always been there, a power cord across a walkway, or a basket near the hallway may not have caused problems before — but changes in balance, vision, or mobility can make these hazards more significant.
Common trip hazards include:
Loose rugs or mats.
Electrical cords.
Crowded walkways.
Low furniture.
Items stored in frequently used walking areas.
An Occupational Therapist can help identify risks while considering what is important to the person — because falls prevention should not mean removing everything that makes a house feel like home.
3. Why Bathrooms Are One of the Highest Risk Areas
Bathrooms are one of the most common places for falls due to a combination of:
Wet and slippery surfaces.
Limited space.
Bending and reaching.
Transfers on and off toilets.
Reduced balance when standing or turning.
Falls may occur when someone:
🚿 Steps into or out of the shower.
🚽 Rushes to the toilet.
🪑 Struggles to stand from a low toilet.
💧 Loses balance on slippery flooring.
😴 Becomes fatigued while showering.
Equipment and modifications may help improve safety, including:
Grab rails.
Shower chairs.
Hand-held shower heads.
Non-slip flooring solutions.
Over-toilet frames.
Raised toilet seats.
The right solution depends on the person, their home, and how they complete daily activities.
4. Strength, Balance and Mobility Changes
Ageing often brings changes in muscle strength, balance, and reaction time.
These changes can be subtle at first.
Someone may begin to:
Walk more slowly.
Take smaller steps.
Hold onto furniture.
Avoid uneven surfaces.
Feel less confident when moving around.
Because these changes happen gradually, people often adapt without realising their abilities have changed.
The right combination of:
✓ Exercise and strengthening programs.
✓ Mobility equipment where appropriate.
✓ Home modifications.
✓ Education about safer movement strategies.
Can help maintain independence for longer.
5. Fatigue: The Hidden Falls Risk
Fatigue is an often-underestimated contributor to falls.
Many daily activities require more energy than we realise:
Showering.
Dressing.
Preparing meals.
Shopping.
Attending appointments.
Someone may feel steady in the morning but become less safe later in the day when energy levels decrease.
When we are tired:
Concentration can be reduced.
Reaction times may slow.
Balance responses may not be effective.
Occupational Therapists often look at energy conservation and pacing strategies to help people complete important activities safely without becoming overly fatigued.
6. Medication and Falls Risk
Some medications can contribute to falls risk by causing:
Dizziness.
Drowsiness.
Reduced alertness.
Changes in blood pressure.
Blurred vision.
This risk may increase when several medications are taken together.
If someone has experienced:
A recent fall.
Increased dizziness.
New balance concerns.
More frequent near misses.
It may be worthwhile discussing medication effects with a GP or pharmacist.
7. Is Mobility Equipment Helping — or Creating More Risk?
Mobility equipment should support independence, confidence, and safety.
However, equipment that is no longer suitable, incorrectly adjusted, or poorly maintained may increase risk.
Examples include:
A walking frame set at the incorrect height.
Worn rubber tips.
Using furniture instead of prescribed equipment.
Difficulty completing transfers safely.
An Occupational Therapist can assess whether current equipment remains appropriate and recommend options suited to the person's needs and home environment.
8. Footwear Matters More Than You Think
The shoes we wear can have a significant impact on balance.
Falls risk may increase with:
Loose slippers.
Socks on smooth flooring.
Shoes without a grip.
Footwear that does not fit correctly.
Painful feet affect walking patterns.
Supportive footwear should:
✓ Fit securely.
✓ Have a good grip.
✓ Provide stability.
✓ Be comfortable and easy to put on safely.
Sometimes a simple footwear change can improve confidence immediately.
9. Rushing: When Independence Creates Risk
Many falls happen when people are trying to do something quickly.
Examples include:
📞 Getting to the phone.
🚪 Answering the door.
🚽 Rushing to the bathroom.
🍽 Trying to complete tasks before asking for help.
Wanting to remain independent is completely understandable.
However, independence does not mean doing everything alone.
Sometimes independence means finding safer ways to complete tasks, whether that involves:
Changing the way a task is completed.
Using equipment.
Allowing more time.
Accepting appropriate support.
10. When Falls Indicate Support Needs Have Changed
Sometimes, fall is a sign that a person's needs have changed.
This may include:
Increased difficulty showering.
Changes in transfers.
Reduced mobility.
Increased fatigue.
Changes in memory or judgement.
Difficulty accessing areas of the home.
Early support can help prevent further decline and assist people in remaining safe and comfortable at home.
Quick Home Falls Prevention Checklist
A simple home check can be a great place to start:
☐ Walkways are clear and easy to navigate.
☐ Rugs and cords are secured or removed.
☐ Lighting is adequate throughout the home.
☐ Frequently used items are within easy reach.
☐ Bathrooms have appropriate safety features.
☐ Mobility equipment is suitable and well maintained.
☐ Footwear provides support and grip.
☐ Handrails or grab rails are installed where needed.
How Occupational Therapy Can Help Prevent Falls
Occupational Therapists look at the whole picture:
The person.
The environment.
The activities they want and need to do.
A falls risk assessment may include:
✓ Identifying hazards within the home.
✓ Reviewing mobility and transfers.
✓ Recommending equipment.
✓ Suggesting home modifications.
✓ Providing strategies to complete tasks safely.
✓ Supporting family members and carers.
✓ Preparing funding recommendations where required.
The goal is not to completely change someone’s lifestyle.
The goal is to find practical solutions that help everyday activities feel safer, easier, and more manageable.
Supporting Safe and Independent Living at Home
Falls are often the result of several small changes occurring over time.
By identifying risks early and introducing practical support, many people can continue living safely, confidently, and independently in their own homes.
If you or someone you care about has experienced a fall, a near miss, or is finding everyday activities more difficult, an Occupational Therapy assessment can help identify risks and provide personalised strategies.
Need Support to Stay Safe at Home?
Star Therapy Services provides personalised Occupational Therapy services across Perth and surrounding regions to help older adults and people living with disability maintain their independence.
Our experienced Occupational Therapists can assist with:
Falls risk assessments.
Home safety assessments.
Assistive equipment recommendations.
Home modifications.
Functional assessments.
Support at Home and aged care funding recommendations.
The aim is simple: helping people feel safer, more confident, and more independent at home.