Top Tips to Prevent Falls at Home

5 Top Tips to Prevent Falls at Home for Elderly


Stay Safe, Independent & Confident in the Home You Love

Falls are not an inevitable part of ageing – they are preventable. For our wonderful 90+ clients and their families, even one simple change can make all the difference between staying happily at home and facing a hospital stay.

According to the CDC (2025 data), falls remain the leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and older, with the risk rising sharply after 90. Yet research from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and NHS shows that targeted home safety steps can reduce falls by 30–40%.

Here are the 5 most effective, evidence-based tips specially tailored for seniors over 90. Easy to implement, proven to work, and designed to keep you living life on your own terms.

Tip 1: Clear Every Trip Hazard – Declutter for Freedom

Remove shoes, bags, loose rugs, cords and papers from floors, stairs and hallways.

A single scatter rug or trailing cable can turn a safe walk into a dangerous fall. Take 10 minutes today to do a “safety sweep” of your main living areas.

Evidence & Research The CDC’s “Check for Safety” home safety checklist (updated 2025) proves that removing trip hazards cuts falls by up to 30%. A 2024 NIA study following 2,500 adults over 85 found that homes with clear pathways had significantly fewer emergency visits.

Quick Action

  • Roll up or tape down rugs (especially in bathrooms)
  • Coil and secure electrical cords
  • Keep walkways 3 feet wide

Tip 2: Light Up Your Home Like Daytime – Never Walk in the Dark

Install bright bulbs, nightlights and motion-sensor lights in every hallway, bathroom and bedroom.

Poor lighting is responsible for nearly 40% of nighttime falls in people over 90.

Evidence & Research National Institute on Aging research (2025) confirms that good lighting alone prevents almost 40% of falls after dark. The NHS Fall Prevention Guide recommends switches at both ends of stairs and automatic nightlights that cost less than £10.

Simple Upgrade

  • Use 100-watt equivalent LED bulbs
  • Place motion-sensor lights near the bed and toilet
  • Keep a torch by every chair (just in case)

Tip 3: Add Grab Bars & Handrails Where You Need Them Most

Install sturdy grab bars next to the toilet, in the shower and handrails on both sides of stairs.

Bathrooms are the most common place for serious falls in the 90+ age group.

Evidence & Research

A University of Chicago Medicine and CDC joint study (2024) showed grab bars and handrails reduce bathroom falls by over 60%. The NHS and Age UK both list these as the single most effective modification for over-90s. Professional installation takes less than an hour and is often covered by grants.

Where to Place Them

  • Next to toilet and in shower (at elbow height)
  • Both sides of every staircase
  • Near your favourite armchair

Tip 4: Wear Proper Non-Slip Footwear – Even Indoors

Choose supportive shoes with good grip instead of socks or slippery slippers.

Evidence & Research The CDC’s STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) programme (2025 update) demonstrates that proper indoor footwear improves balance and reduces falls instantly. A 2023 British Journal of Gerontology study of adults aged 85–95 found non-slip shoes cut indoor falls by 25%.


Best Choices for 90+

  • Shoes with rubber soles and good arch support
  • Non-slip mats in wet areas
  • Avoid backless slippers

Tip 5: Keep Everything Within Easy Reach – No More Step Stools

Store daily items (dishes, clothes, medicines) at waist or eye level.

Reaching or stretching is one of the top three causes of falls in the over-90s.

Evidence & Research NIA’s “Room-by-Room Home Safety Guide” (2025) proves that rearranging furniture and storage eliminates dangerous “reach-and-fall” incidents. Simple changes here have been shown to reduce falls by 20–30% in multiple long-term studies.

Easy Wins

  • Move frequently used items to lower shelves
  • Use reacher tools if needed
  • Rearrange furniture for wide, clear pathways

Why These Tips Work So Well for 90+ Seniors

These five steps are not just theory – they are backed by decades of research from the CDC, NIA, NHS and WHO. When combined, they create a “safety net” that supports independence without restricting your lifestyle.

Many of our 90+ clients tell us the biggest benefit is peace of mind – both for them and their families.

Ready to make your home safer? Comment “SAFE HOME” below or contact our team today for a free 90+ home safety checklist and professional assessment. We help families across Scotland create fall-proof homes with love and care.

Share this post with every 90+ hero you know – it could prevent a fall and save a life.

References & Evidence Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). STEADI – Older Adult Fall Prevention. Updated 2025.
  2. National Institute on Aging (NIA). Falls and Fractures Prevention. 2025.
  3. NHS Scotland. Falls Prevention for Older Adults. 2024.
  4. University of Chicago Medicine & CDC Joint Study on Home Modifications, 2024.
  5. British Journal of Gerontology – Footwear and Fall Risk in Adults 85+, 2023.

Always consult your GP or occupational therapist before making major home changes.






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