Falls at Home: The Facts for Older Adults and What Actually Lowers the Risk
More than 1 in 4 adults 65 and older fall each year, but research shows targeted home fixes, exercise and a medicine review can cut the risk.
Falls are not just a normal part of getting older. They are common, they can be serious, and many of them can be prevented. Here is what the latest CDC data says, and what research shows actually works.
How common are falls?
More than 1 in 4 adults age 65 and older fall each year 1. That is over 14 million older adults reporting a fall 1.
Many falls go unreported. Fewer than half of older adults who fall tell their doctor 2. That matters because one fall is a strong warning. Falling once doubles the chance of falling again 2.
How often do falls cause injuries?
Not every fall causes harm. But many do:
- About 37% of older adults who fall report an injury that needed medical care or kept them from normal activity for at least a day 2.
- Older adult falls lead to about 4.5 million emergency room visits a year 23.
- Falls lead to about 1.4 million hospital stays a year 2.
- Nearly 319,000 older adults are hospitalized for a broken hip each year 2.
- Falls caused 88% of hip fracture ER visits and hospital stays, and 83% of hip fracture deaths, in 2019 data 2.
- Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury in older adults 2.
A broken hip or a head injury can change a person's life. Many people need weeks of rehab. Some never get back to living on their own.
How many people die from falls?
Falls are the leading cause of injury death for adults 65 and older 3. In 2024, falls caused more than 43,000 deaths in this age group 3.
The trend is going the wrong way. The fall death rate for older adults rose 21%, from 64.7 per 100,000 in 2018 to 78.4 per 100,000 in 2024 1.
What do falls cost?
In 2020, U.S. health care spending on non-fatal falls among older adults was about $80 billion 4. Most of that was paid by Medicare 4. That figure does not count lost independence, family caregiving time or the cost of moving to a care setting.
Where in the home do falls happen?
CDC does not publish a simple room-by-room breakdown of where falls happen. But its home safety checklist points to the same trouble spots again and again 5:
- Floors and walkways. Throw rugs, clutter, cords and furniture in the way.
- Stairs and steps. Burned-out bulbs, loose carpet, broken steps, and handrails that are loose or on only one side.
- Bathrooms. Slippery tubs and showers, and no grab bars by the tub or toilet.
- Bedrooms. A lamp that is hard to reach and a dark path to the bathroom at night.
- Kitchens. Items stored up high and wobbly step stools or chairs used to reach them.
These are good places to start your own home check. Our room-by-room checklist covers each one.
Why older adults fall
Falls usually have more than one cause. Common ones include:
- Weak legs and poor balance.
- Medicines that cause sleepiness or dizziness, including some you buy without a prescription 5.
- Vision problems or out-of-date glasses 5.
- Getting up too fast after sitting or lying down, which can cause dizziness 5.
- Shoes and slippers that slip or fit poorly, or walking barefoot 5.
- Home hazards like the ones listed above.
The more of these that apply, the higher the risk.
What actually lowers the risk
1. Fix home hazards, especially if you are at higher risk
The best evidence on home changes comes from a 2023 Cochrane review, which pooled many studies 6. It found:
- Overall, reducing home fall hazards probably cut the rate of falls by about 26% 6.
- For people at higher risk, the drop was bigger, about 38% 6. Higher risk meant people who had fallen in the past year, had been in the hospital recently, or needed help with daily tasks 6.
- For people who were not chosen because of fall risk, the review found no clear benefit 6.
What this means for you: home changes work best when they are aimed at a real risk. If you or a parent has already fallen, or needs help with daily tasks, fixing the home is one of the best-proven steps you can take. Many of the studies used trained professionals, often occupational therapists, to find and fix hazards 6.
2. Build strength and balance
CDC advises exercises that improve leg strength and balance 5. Many Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and YMCAs offer group classes. Ask your doctor what is safe for you. You can find your local agency through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 7.
3. Review your medicines
Ask a doctor or pharmacist to go over every medicine you take, including vitamins and over-the-counter pills 5. Some cause dizziness or drowsiness. Sometimes a dose change or a switch can lower your fall risk.
4. Check your eyes
Get an eye exam every year and update your glasses when needed 5.
5. Change a few daily habits
- Stand up slowly after sitting or lying down 5.
- Wear shoes with non-slip soles, inside and out 5.
- Keep a phone where you could reach it from the floor 5.
- Consider a device that lets you call for help after a fall 5. See our guide to medical alerts and smart home tools.
6. Talk to your doctor
Tell your doctor about any fall, even a small one. Ask for a fall risk check. CDC also offers a free self-check questionnaire, the Falls Free CheckUp, and a planning tool to help you build a prevention plan 3.
A simple plan for this week
- Tonight: Pick up clutter and cords from walkways. Plug in night-lights between the bed and bathroom.
- This week: Remove or secure throw rugs. Replace burned-out bulbs, especially on stairs.
- This month: Add grab bars in the bathroom and a second stair handrail if you have only one.
- At your next checkup: Ask for a fall risk check, a medicine review and an eye exam referral.
The bottom line
Falls are common and can be deadly, and the death rate is rising 13. But falls are not a sure thing. The strongest evidence says to target the people most at risk, fix the hazards in their homes, and combine that with exercise, a medicine review and good vision care.
Common questions
How common are falls in older adults?
Very common. CDC says more than 1 in 4 adults 65 and older fall each year, which adds up to over 14 million people. Fewer than half tell their doctor.
How many older adults die from falls?
In 2024, falls caused more than 43,000 deaths among adults 65 and older, according to CDC. Falls are the leading cause of injury death in this age group, and the death rate rose 21% from 2018 to 2024.
Do home changes really prevent falls?
Yes, for people at higher risk. A 2023 Cochrane review found that home hazard reduction cut the rate of falls by about 38% among people at higher risk, such as those who had fallen in the past year. It showed no clear benefit for people who were not selected for fall risk.
If I fall once, am I likely to fall again?
Your risk goes up. CDC says one fall doubles the chance of falling again. That is why it is important to tell your doctor about any fall, even one without an injury.
What is the single best thing to do after a fall?
Tell your doctor and ask for a fall risk check. Then fix the hazards in your home and ask about a strength and balance program. A fall is a warning sign, not just bad luck.
Sources
- Older Adult Falls Data — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Facts About Falls — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Older Adult Falls: About Falls — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Healthcare spending for non-fatal falls among older adults, USA (Haddad et al., Injury Prevention, 2024) — CDC Stacks. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults (STEADI) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Environmental interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community (Cochrane review CD013258, 2023) — Cochrane. Checked October 18, 2026.
- Eldercare Locator: Contact Information — U.S. Administration for Community Living / USAging. Checked October 18, 2026.