Excellent advice for older adults who wish to stay safe. Note the focus on staying fit, being aware, and exercising caution!!!

ASK THE NURSE: Reducing fall risks among older adults

Published by Westford CAT December 12, 2025, written by Gail Johnson, BSN, RN, Public Health Nurse

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), has  launched a public health initiative focused on reducing fall risks among older adults. According to NACCHO, one in four adults age 65 and older experiences a fall each year.

Their data also projects that the U.S. population of older adults will grow significantly-from 58 million today to an estimated 82 million by 2050. In 2022 alone, falls among adults 65 and older resulted in approximately 41,000 deaths. On May 9, 2024, the CDC reported that falling can double your chances of falling again and about 319,000 older people are hospitalized each year after suffering a hip fracture.

The Healthy Aging Data Report 2025 from the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative notes that there are 1.6 million residents aged 60 and older living in Massachusetts. Here in Westford, as of 2025, there are about 3,260 residents aged 65 and older, making up roughly 13% of the town’s population of more than 24,000.

Definition of a fall

An older adult fall is when a person age 65 or older unintentionally ends up on the ground or lower level, not because of a medical event like a stroke, but because they lose their balance or slip.

What are the risk factors for falls

There are several factors that can increase an older adult’s risk of falling.

• A history of previous falls, which can lead to depression, isolation, and fear of falling again.
• Slower reaction time with increasing age.
• Medications such as sleep aids, blood pressure medications, and diuretics.
• Medical conditions including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, vertigo, incontinence, arthritis, mobility or gait problems, & Vitamin D deficiency.
• Cognitive changes such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
• Vision difficulties or impairments.
• Hearing loss.

Fall Prevention Tips

• Talk with your doctor
  • Review your medications and their potential side effects that may increase fall risk.
  • Share your history of falls and any other medical conditions, such as diabetes, vertigo, muscle or joint pain, shortness of breath, or gait disorders.
  • Use assistive devices like canes, walkers, grab bars in the shower, or shower seat, and handrails.
  • To help prevent orthostatic hypotension increase fluids and change position slowly.
• Stay active and improve balance
  • Engage in regular physical activity and balance training to boost strength, coordination, and stability.
  • Wear proper, nonskid footwear-avoid slippers or loose-fitting shoes.
• Make your home safe
  • Remove clutter and secure loose electrical cords.
  • Ensure furniture does not block walkways.
  • Secure rugs to the floor. (throw/scatter rugs)
  • Clean up spills immediately.
  • Be mindful of small pets and other obstacles.
  • Ensure you don’t get entangled in your bedspread, as that can be a tripping hazard when getting out of bed. Slippery fabric like satins can potentially increase the chances of sliding off the bed.
• Protect your vision and awareness
  • Use adequate lighting, especially on stairs and in areas you walk frequently. Use a nightlight or keep a flashlight nearby.
  • Avoid walking in dark areas when possible.
  • Poor vision is a major risk factor for falls, like cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Make sure to check your vision yearly, or more often as requested by your doctor.
  • Be careful when wearing progressive lenses as this might impair your depth perception, and blur peripheral vision.

These steps can help reduce the risk of falls and make your home a safer environment. By taking small, practical steps every day, older adults can significantly reduce their risk of falling and preserve their independence, confidence, and quality of life. Fall prevention begins with awareness and regular check-ins with your doctor, and with the right support, many falls can be prevented.