Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults, and most are preventable by managing the person's risks rather than restricting their movement. Prevention combines strength and balance activity, medication review for drugs that cause dizziness, vision and footwear checks, and unhurried assistance during high-risk moments like standing up at night. Knowing an individual's specific risk factors lets you focus effort where it matters instead of applying blanket restrictions that erode independence. If a fall does happen, assess for injury before helping the person up — and call emergency services if there is significant pain, a head strike on blood thinners, or the person cannot get up.
Most falls are preventable by addressing specific hazards rather than restricting a person's movement. Key fixes include non-slip surfaces and grab bars in the bathroom, clear and well-lit walkways, …