Simple steps at home can reduce injuries and help seniors remain independent
Health officials from San Diego County are now urging seniors and their caregivers to evaluate fall risks indoors and outdoors, considering the figures that revealed nearly 40,000 of the city’s senior residents aged 60 and above were seen in emergency departments because of falls in 2024.
Falls were found to be the most frequent cause of emergency department visits among county adults aged 60 and above in that year. More than 13,000 older adults needed to be hospitalized due to their falls, while 338 died.
The appeal comes amid the week dedicated to fall prevention awareness across America, being held from September 21 to 25, 2026. Health agencies are raising awareness of the fact that many falls can be prevented by taking care of the physical state of the older adult, his/her medication, and the household.
Some risks are obvious – wet floors, cracks in pavement, and irregular sidewalks. Others are less noticeable.
Rugs that slide on the floor, electric cables that obstruct passage, piles of shoes and books in passageways, poorly lit hallways, staircases with no railings, items kept out of reach are all potential problems, particularly for older adults whose balance, vision or mobility has been compromised.
Bathrooms may present additional dangers, due to moisture and slippery flooring. Installing grab bars near toilets and shower stalls, creating non-slip surface, and improving lighting is a way to make them safe for older adults.
Prevention is believed to work best when older adults assess both their environment and their health and not wait until they experience their first fall.
Five steps to reduce the risk of a fall
– Exercise regularly. The exercises that build leg strength and improve balance prevent older adults from losing steadiness while walking, standing and using staircases. Tai chi and other structured balance training programs are often used for fall prevention.
– Healthy Living and Physical Activity Programs for older adults are offered by San Diego County’s Aging & Independence Services.
– Look through your medications. Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications may lead to dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, and blood pressure changes that make an older adult more susceptible to falling. An older adult should regularly consult a physician, a pharmacist, or some other healthcare provider about his/her medication, particularly after any changes to prescriptions.
– Check your vision and hearing. Older adults’ changing eyesight affects their ability to see steps, curbs, and other obstacles, while problems with hearing decrease their awareness of the environment. Proper checkups and properly-fitted eyeglasses or hearing aids can help.
Make your home safer. Minor changes like improving lighting, cleaning up clutter, securing or getting rid of sliding rugs, and installing grab bars can make a difference.
Identify personal risks. The online Falls Free CheckUp is a 13-item survey which helps older adults identify potential fall risks and find out how to address them.
Once fall happens, another one becomes more probable
A fall in itself is a warning sign.
According to the CDC, more than one in four American adults aged 65 and above fall each year. Having one fall doubles the chances to experience another one.
Risk increases in case there are several risk factors.
Weakness in lower body, difficulty walking, poor balance, poor vision and hearing, and the side-effects of medications can serve as causes of falls. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis may influence mobility, sensory functions, and strength.
In addition to it, environmental hazards can aggravate these medical risks.
For many years, the statistics of San Diego County showed that falls are a major health problem among its older population. In 2022, the County reported 30,379 emergency department discharges and 11,744 hospitalizations of falls among residents aged 60 and older. In 2023, County reports identified falls as one of the major reasons for emergency department visits and hospitalization of older adults.
The data for 2024 from San Diego County, 40,000 emergency department visits and more than 13,000 hospitalizations, demonstrate how the scope of this problem is still enormous.
There are lasting effects even after the injuries heal
Preventing falls means more than avoiding bone fractures.
Wrist, arm, ankle, hip fractures, and head injuries can be caused by falls. According to the CDC, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries among older adults.
Even a fall that did not result in an injury may change a way how the older adult behaves.
He/she may become afraid of falling again and limit himself/herself in walking, shopping, exercise, social interactions, and other activities. This decrease in activity will lead to muscle weakness and poor balance, increasing the risk of future falls. This, in turn, may lead to social isolation and loss of independence.
That is why modern prevention programs focus not only on eliminating physical hazards but also helping older adults stay fit, confident, and sociable.
Fall prevention programs are offered by San Diego County
The Fall Prevention Programs and Educational Materials for helping residents live safely in their homes were developed by the Aging & Independence Services which is a part of San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
The San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force holds community presentations, balance screenings, and distributes educational materials. The fall-prevention guides for regions cover physical activity, health management, and home safety.
Dignity At Home Fall Prevention Program, which provides fall-prevention items, assistive devices, and home-safety products to the qualifying residents, is implemented by San Diego County. Residents aged 60 and older who reside in San Diego County and people of any age with disability who are at risk of falls qualify.
Educational materials of the County’s fall-prevention programs are evidence-based. They also can be obtained in different languages.
The residents of San Diego County who have any questions about fall-prevention programs can e-mail HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 858-495-5500.
Aging & Independence Services also operates general information and assistance hotline at 800-339-4661 for older adults, people with disabilities, their caregivers, and family members looking for County or community services.
For the older adults and their families, the message of San Diego County is clear – fall prevention does not have to wait for an accident. With timely identification of risks, regular exercises, and some minor modifications to the home, injuries can be avoided and independence can be retained.
