Fall Prevention
By Emily Ryklis and Cynthia Koppe
Who is at risk for falls?
All of us are at risk for falls. However, people living with dementia are at increased risk due to changes in neurological pathways that affect balance, gait, visual-spatial awareness, and judgment. Slower reaction times, difficulty judging depth, contrast, or distance, wandering, and changes in walking patterns, such as shuffling and wall/furniture walking, can all contribute to a higher risk of falling.
Falls can lead to both fatal and nonfatal injuries, functional decline, and increased dependence.
While fall risk cannot be completely eliminated, many environmental, medical, and safety precautions can help prevent falls.
What can I do to help reduce fall risks?
For the individual:
- Sensory checks: Get an annual eye exam to check vision and ensure prescriptions are current. Make sure that hearing aids are working properly to address impairments that may make it difficult to navigate the environment.
- Conduct a medication review with a primary care provider to assess medication effects and interactions for their potential impact on balance and mobility.
- Check footwear: the BEST shoe offers full support with a back and a rubber bottom that cannot be easily slipped on or off, even in the home. AVOID backless slippers, flip-flops, loose socks, or worn-out soles.
- If your loved one uses a cane, walker, or other piece of adaptive equipment, make sure that it fits properly and that they are using it correctly.
- Exercise: keep moving safely by incorporating low-impact movements like chair stretches and guided walks.
- Consider assistive technology such as Life Alert, which can call emergency services if the individual has fallen and needs help.
For the home:
- Eliminate tripping hazards: REMOVE loose rugs, low side tables, extension cords, and clutter from walking paths.
- Lighting: Make sure the home is well lit, and use solid, contrasting colors for things like bathmats. Install motion-activated nightlights in the bedroom and bathroom to help prevent falls in the night.
- Bathroom safety: Use non-slip bath mats in and out of the bath and consider installing grab bars near the toilet and inside the shower.
- Seating: AVOID chairs that are too low or that do not have armrests, which can make standing up and sitting down difficult. CHOOSE stable, higher chairs with firm armrests.
Learn more about fall prevention and reducing fall risk from the CDC’s STEADI Patient and Caregiver Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/patient-resources/index.html
NYS Department of Health resources with translations:
Emily and Cynthia are interns from the Columbia University School of Occupational Therapy. This article was published in the Memory Center newsletter October 2026.
