Preventing falls

Tips to prevent falls: making yourself safer

Each year about one-third of all people over age 65 will fall. The consequences can be significant, particularly for older people.

However, falls are not an inevitable part of growing older and there are things you can do to help reduce the risk of falling.

This includes:

• speaking to your pharmacist about the medicines you are taking
• making simple changes to the home environment
• doing exercises to improve strength and balance
• regularly having your vision and hearing checked

Steady On Your Feet Northamptonshire give further advice about how best to reduce your risk of having a fall.

Northamptonshire Sport's Get Up and Go programme provides strength and balance classes. Over 550 people are currently participating in these classes every week across West Northamptonshire.

Looking after your bones to prevent the risk of fractures

It is never too early or too late to take steps to protect your bones from osteoporosis fracture risk.

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones lose their strength and are more likely to break, usually following a minor bump or fall. 

1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 experience fractures, mostly as a result of low bone strength.

The loss of bone density increases the chance of breaking a bone. Having a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D will help, as will weight-bearing exercise.

For advice and guidance about living with osteoporosis and how to avoid fractures, visit the Royal Osteoporosis Society website.

Last updated 22 May 2025