5 December 2024

Older people are often most at risk of having a fall, and it can take them a while to recover from any injuries – some may even need hospital treatment. Although not every fall results in serious injury, it can still impact a person’s wellbeing, quality of life and sense of independence.

However, falls are not a normal part of growing older and many falls can be prevented by following a few simple steps.

There are a number of reasons why someone might be more likely to fall. These include things like weak muscles or poor balance, health conditions like dementia or the side effects of medication.  Trip hazards in the home or cold weather can also increase someone’s chances of falling.

As winter approaches, the risk of falls increases because of wet leaves, snow, rain and ice all making the ground slippery. In Greater Manchester, NWAS received 31,452 falls-related calls in 2023 – with 40% of those occurring during the winter months.

So, the NHS is sharing these top tips and advice on how to prevent falls both inside and outside the home.

Stay up to date with your eye tests

As you get older your eyesight can change. Regular eye tests can help find conditions that might put you more at risk of falling.

Eye tests are free for people over 60. Make sure that your eyesight is tested regularly, even if you think it is fine.

It is also important to remember not to walk when you are wearing your reading glasses, make sure you are looking after your glasses and cleaning them regularly and buy some sunglasses that can help to reduce the glare from the winter sun.

Keep yourself active

Staying active can help to improve your balance, make your joints more flexible and improve your muscle strength.

You can keep your muscles and bones strong by exercising regularly or doing daily activities. Chair-based exercises, housework and taking the dog for a short walk are all good ways to start.

To keep active and move around safely, you might need to use a walking aid.

 

Stay up to date with your medication reviews

The side effects of certain medications, or taking more than one medication at a time, can make you more at risk of falling. Learning to manage your medication well and understanding how they affect you are an important part of falls prevention.

You should have a medication review at least once a year at your GP practice or local pharmacy (also known as chemist). Ask your GP practice if you haven’t been invited for one.


 

Keep your home well-lit and free from clutter

Take some time, or ask for help, to clear clutter away from floors or stairs. This  will give you more room to walk around freely. Move things such as small furniture and pet bowls and get rid of any loose mats or rugs.

It can also be useful to store items you use on a day-to-day basis in easy to reach places.

Make sure you have enough lighting to help you move safely from one place to another, especially on stairways and in hallways. You should also think about getting a lamp, night light or torch by the bed in case you need to get up during the night.
 

Be prepared for cold weather

The drop in temperature in Winter means more chance of ice, snow and falling leaves. These can all increase the risk of a fall, so it’s important to be extra careful when going outside. Spreading sand or salt on icy surfaces on your driveway, garden paths, and steps can help. Make sure you are dressed for the cold weather – put on shoes that have a good grip and wear gloves to protect your hands in case you do fall.

Try to stick to going out in the daytime, as when its dark it can be hard to see where you are stepping. Use handrails but be careful when using ramps as they can get slippery.

Ask for support from your family and friends. Could they go with you when you leave the house, or help clear your driveway and paths of ice and snow?

Always make sure to have enough food at home, so you don’t have to go out if the weather gets really bad.

For more information visit:

• Falls Prevention Service Liverpool
• Falls and Fracture Prevention Service - Knowsley
• Falls prevention Service - Sefton

You can also view our leaflet, how to overcome the fear of falling

Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

Heat your home to a temperature that's comfortable for you. If you can, this should be at least 18°C in the rooms that you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom. This is particularly important if you have a health condition. It's best to keep your bedroom windows closed at night.

Make sure you're getting all the help that you're entitled to. There are grants, benefits and advice available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills.

Find out more about ways to save energy in your home from GOV.UK, or call the government helpline on 0800 444 202.

You can also find out more from GOV.UK about benefits and financial support if you're on a low income.

Check on vulnerable neighbours and relatives

People such as older neighbours, friends and family members, may need some extra help over the winter. There's a lot you can do to help people who need support.

Icy pavements and roads can be very slippery, and cold weather can stop people from going out.

Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family and ask if they need any practical help, or if they're feeling unwell.

Make sure they're stocked up with enough food supplies for a few days, in case they cannot go out.

If they do need to go out in the cold, encourage them to wear shoes with a good grip and a scarf around the mouth to protect them from cold air, and to reduce their risk of chest infections.

Make sure they get any prescription medicines before the holiday period starts and if bad weather is forecast.

If they need help over the holiday period when the GP surgery or pharmacy is closed or they're not sure what to do, go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

If you're worried about a relative or elderly neighbour, contact your local council or call the Age UK helpline on 0800 678 1602 (8am to 7pm every day). You can find your local council on GOV.UK.

If you're concerned the person may have hypothermia, go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. 

What other measures can people take to stay warm this winter?

There are many ways to look after yourself during the winter:

• Making sure you have sufficient food and medicine in case you are unable to go out when it’s cold and icy
• Take simple measures to reduce draughts in your home. You can fit draft excluders around doors cheaply. Depending on what you can afford, options could include insulation of water pipers to prevent them from freezing; loft insulation; internal, cavity and external wall insulation; and double (or triple) window glazing.
• Keep your windows closed at night
• Wear several layers of thinner clothing; this can keep you warmer than one thicker layer
• Exercising – try not to sit still for more than an hour or so, but if you find it difficult to move about, stretching your arms and legs can also keep you warm. If you have visitors, it can help stop the spread of germs to ventilate the room for a few minutes before and after they arrive; you might be more comfortable leaving the window open during their visit, if it’s not too cold
• Wearing good-fitting slippers with a good grip indoors and shoes with a good grip outside to prevent slips, trips and falls
• Eat well and stay hydrated. It can sometimes be difficult to keep up the motivation to prepare meals in winter, but our diet, including how much we eat, is an important part of staying healthy and well.
• Make sure your household appliances are safe and working well. Regular servicing of your appliances can keep them working efficiently and for longer, saving you money.