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Preventing Falls

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of adults ages 65 and older fall each year in the United States. People with vision loss are almost twice as likely to experience multiple falls as those with normal vision.
Photo of steps outside of an office building To prevent falling, use contrasting hand rails that go beyond the steps for a safer grasp and easier walk down the stairs.
There are a number of things you can do to prevent falls in your home:
  • Don’t store the things you need in high places that would require the use of a step stool to reach.
  • Arrange your furniture so that there is a clear path for walking, and keep clutter out of walkways. Avoid using furniture on wheels.
  • Clap-on/clap-off lights in the living room and in your bedroom will keep you from having to get up from your chair to adjust the lighting.
  • See Household Organization for more suggestions to keep your home environment safe.
  • From APH Press: Making Life More Livable: Simple Adaptations for Living at Home after Vision Loss, Third Edition, by Maureen A. Duffy, M.S., CVRT, is the essential guide for adults experiencing vision loss and is an invaluable resource for family members and friends.
Our video series, Preventing Falls by Adapting Your Home, created with the help of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Community Occupational Services Program, offers simple suggestions for each area of the home to prevent falls, increase mobility, and make a home a safer environment.

More About Fall Prevention

For fall prevention coalitions, check NCOA’s state by state list.