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Author: Debbie Humphrey

After more than 15 years in the home care industry, the caregivers at Home Helpers have assisted hundreds of seniors with varying needs. They have also had to help the majority of our clients and elderly family members who have experienced falls.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¹ (CDC), approximately one in four older adults aged 65 and older falls each year. This translates to about 14 million falls annually in the United States. 

It's important to note that not all falls result in injuries. However, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and hospitalizations among older adults. In 2021, there were an estimated 32,000 fall-related deaths among older adults in the United States. 

A brochure published by the CDC² provides a Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults, which is an excellent resource to reference during Fall Prevention Month.

“Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people fall each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again,” the CDC reports.

Because falls often occur due to hazards in the home, seniors can prevent falls at home by following these guidelines to eliminate dangerous conditions that put them at risk of falling.

Stairs & Steps (indoors and outdoors)

Are there papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the stairs?

• Always keep objects off the stairs.

Are there steps that are broken or uneven?

• Fix loose or broken stairs.

Is there a light and light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs?

• Have an electrician put in an overhead light and light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light switches that glow, too.

Has a stairway light bulb burned out?

• Have a friend or family member change the light bulb.

Is the carpet on the stairs loose or torn?

• Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step, or remove the carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads on the stairs.

Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there a handrail on only one side of the stairs?

• Fix loose handrails or install new ones. Make sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs and are as long as the staircase.

Floors

When you walk into a room, do you have to walk around furniture?

• Ask someone to move the furniture so your pathways are clear.

Do you have throw rugs on the floor?

• Remove the rugs or use double-sided tape or a non-slip backing so the rugs won’t slip.

Are there papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the floor?

• Pick up things that are on the floor. Always keep objects off the floor.

Do you have to walk over or around wires or cords (like lamp, telephone, or extension cords)?

• Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you can’t trip over them. If needed have an electrician put in another outlet.

Kitchen

Are the things you use often on high shelves?

• Keep things you use often on the lower shelves, about waist high.

Is your step stool sturdy?

• If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool.

Bedrooms

Is the light near the bed hard to reach?

• Place a lamp close to the bed where it’s easy to reach.

Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark?

• Put in a nightlight so you can see where you’re walking. Some nightlights go on by themselves after dark.

Bathrooms

Is the tub or shower floor slippery?

• Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.

Do you need some support when you get in and out of the tub, or up from the toilet?

• Have grab bars professionally installed next to and inside the tub or shower and near the toilet.

For seniors living alone who are unable to follow these CDC guidelines for fall prevention because they have no family or friends around to help, I encourage you to contact me. I offer a FREE Assessment and home safety check. I can recommend professional colleagues and other resources to provide services to minimize falling hazards, and I can also match the perfect compassionate caregiver to provide in-home care services to make life easier and safer 24/7/365.

We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Activated Insights Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers in 2025 and to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Awards in 2025, along with the Caring Super Star 2025 Award.

Home Helpers Clearwater proudly serves male and female seniors, veterans, and differently abled individuals in Bayonet Point, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Gulfport, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, Madeira Beach, New Port Richey, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Pass A Grille, Pass A Grille Beach, Port Richey, Redington Shores, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, South Pasadena, Tarpon Springs, Tierra Verde, Treasure Island, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier® 727.942.2539

Source:

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

²Centers for Disease Control and Prevention