Why Fall-Related ER Visits Are Rising—and How Seniors Can Prevent Them

Falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits among older adults. Many people are going to the emergency room after falling. The number of people visiting the emergency room for falls is increasing each year. It is increasing by 2.85 percent per year.     

This might not seem like a lot. However, falls occur so frequently that they become a significant concern. What is worrying is how normal these situations are. Most falls do not happen when people are doing something. They happen at home.   

This is where people walk to the bathroom every day. They happen when people are getting out of bed in the morning. They occur when people step into the shower to clean up. These are everyday behaviors, which is why falls can catch seniors and families off guard.   

IN THIS ARTICLE, we will break down why fall-related visits to the emergency room are becoming more common and what is behind the increase. The key is to discuss how to reduce the risk of fall-related emergency room visits.   

We will cover changes people can make around the house to reduce the risk of fall-related emergency room visits. We will also discuss habits that significantly reduce fall-related emergency room visits.     

Additionally, we will discuss ways for people to stay active without overdoing it, and supportive tools that help seniors feel steadier during their routines and reduce the risk of fall-related emergency room visits.  

Rest assured that the goal here is not to scare anyone. It’s to make falls feel more preventable. With a few smart adjustments, many seniors can stay safer at home and avoid an unexpected trip to the ER.

Understanding Fall-Related ER Visits

Falls are really bad for adults. Actually, they get hurt from falls more than anything. Every year, many people fall at least once. One in four older adults has a fall.  

Sure, some falls are not that serious. A lot of them are. When older adults go to the emergency room, it is often because they broke a bone, hurt their head, or fractured their hip. Sometimes they have a lot of pain that makes it hard to walk.  

Falls can also keep people in the hospital or leave them unable to perform activities for an extended period. Older adults who fall can even die from it. Falls are a problem for older adults. That's a fact. 

People often go to the emergency department after falling. It is not just because they are getting older. When someone has health issues like heart disease problems, low blood pressure, or bad side effects from medicine, they are more likely to fall.  

Factors such as lighting, stairs, and other hazards at home also contribute to the problem. Taken together, these factors explain why older adults often go to the emergency room for fall injuries. 

For many people, a fall can be very scary. Older adults often fear falling, which can prevent them from walking, exercising, and doing everyday tasks.   

This fear increases the risk of future falls. Less movement weakens leg strength, balance, and muscle strength.  Emergency department visits also strain the health system, from hospitals to healthcare providers. So, you do get the drill. It’s essential to address it now. 

Why Fall-Related ER Visits Are Rising

• Aging Population and Longevity

The number of people over 65 is increasing. And yes, people over 80 are increasing even more quickly. This change alone is increasing the number of people going to the emergency department for falls.     

As people age, their bodies take longer to recover after a slip-and-fall, and even minor falls can cause greater harm. People are living longer, which means they have to deal with problems for longer.  

People do not always lose their ability to move around all at once. Usually, it happens slowly, making it harder to recognize the risks until someone falls and goes to the emergency room.  

People over 65 should be careful, as falls are common. The older people get, the more they have to worry about falls and injuries.   

• Chronic Conditions and Medication Use

Many people face multiple health issues at once. For example, conditions such as arthritis make it hard to move your joints.   

If you have nerve damage, it can be tough to walk because you have trouble placing your feet. When your vision is not as good as it used to be, it is harder to tell how far away things are. 

Sometimes your blood pressure can drop low, and that can make you feel lightheaded when you stand up. The medications you take can also be a problem.  

If you take medicine for your heart, for pain, to help you sleep, or for anxiety, it can make you feel dizzy. It can make it harder to react quickly. When you take a lot of medications at the same time, the side effects can really add up.  

If a person falls, these effects increase the likelihood that the fall will cause serious problems, such as head injuries, or that the person will need to go to the hospital. So, yes, that’s a real risk.     

• Home Environment Risks

Our homes usually stay the same. Our ability to move can change significantly. The bathroom is a problem because the floors are wet and the spaces are really tight.  

If you have stairs without something to hold onto, you are more likely to slip and fall. At night, bedrooms can be really dangerous because it is hard to see, and there might be things on the floor near your bed.  

If your furniture is unstable, your rugs are slipping, or you lack something to hold onto, simply walking around your home can be very dangerous.   

These items in our homes are a major reason falls can be serious, leading people to go to the emergency room rather than just receiving a minor injury.   

• Declining Physical Strength and Activity

Muscle strength and balance decline when movement decreases. Leg strength weakens, reflexes slow, and it becomes harder to recover from a stumble. 

After a fall, fear often leads older adults to move less. Walking decreases. Exercise stops. This inactivity increases the risk of future falls.  

Without support from physical therapy or balance-focused exercise such as tai chi, the body continues to lose strength, increasing the risk of another fall.  

Prevention Starts at Home: Things to Consider

1. Improve Lighting and Visibility

Poor lighting is a problem in homes where older adults live. It is really hard to see in hallways and on dark staircases. Bathrooms are also not well-lit.  

This makes it tough to figure out how far things are away from you and where to put your feet. It is even worse at night because it takes longer for your eyes to get used to the dark when you are older. Many falls occur when people are walking to the bathroom or kitchen.   

They are not walking far at all. Installing bulbs, night lights, or motion-activated lights can make these areas much safer immediately. Poor lighting is something we should consider because it can cause significant problems for adults.    

You should have your vision checked regularly and use a hearing aid if needed. This significantly improves your balance and awareness.    

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that good lighting is essential. It reduces the risk of falling without changing your routine. This makes it much easier for older adults to follow a fall-prevention plan. Good lighting and regular vision checks are key to a fall-prevention plan for older adults.     

2. Clear and Simplify Walking Paths

Cluttered walkways can be hazardous to people. They can get hurt more easily than you think. Items such as loose rugs, cords, shoes, and small tables can cause older adults to trip.   

As people age, they may experience balance issues and weaker legs. They must be very careful when they walk.    

If we move the furniture to widen the paths, it will be easier for people to walk without tripping. This is especially helpful for someone who uses a cane or walker.     

We should also place chairs in areas where people can sit if they feel dizzy. Sometimes older people get dizzy because their blood pressure changes. 

Having a chair to sit in can really help people. Removing these small obstacles plays a big role in reducing falls and preventing future falls inside the home. 

3. Reduce Bathroom Fall Risks

Bathrooms can be dangerous because floors are often wet, making slips easy. When you get in and out of the shower or use the toilet, you can fall. This is because you have to make some moves. You can. Lose your balance and hurt yourself.    

Non-slip mats in the bathroom are an idea. Bathrooms need to have seats, too. A shower chair with back and arms can be very helpful for people taking a bath.   

Bathrooms with shower chairs are beneficial because they allow older adults to sit while bathing, reducing the need to stand for extended periods. This is very helpful for people with foot or heart problems, or for those who are weak. 

Bathrooms with these seats make it easier for people with muscle weakness to bathe without straining. Stable seating is essential because it helps people maintain balance. This means they are less likely to get hurt.   

They will not break any bones. Hit their head. People will also not have to go to the hospital because of a bathroom fall. Stable seating supports balance. Lowers the risk of serious injury like broken bones or head injuries from bathroom falls.

4. Add Strategic Support Points

Support points provide older adults with something to rely on when their balance feels off. Grab bars near toilets and inside showers help with standing, turning, and slowly sitting.  

For renters or temporary setups, a suction grab bar in the 16- to 25-inch range provides support without drilling. Occupational therapists often recommend these changes because they reduce home hazards while keeping the home familiar.  

These small adjustments make the home safer and help prevent falls that could otherwise lead to emergency department visits or long recovery periods.

Daily Habits That Lower Fall Risk

• Move Slowly and Intentionally

To prevent falls, you should move carefully. When you get up from a chair or out of bed, take a moment to get steady and then slowly sit or stand up. If you move too fast, you might feel dizzy, especially if you are older or have high blood pressure or heart problems.   

So pay attention to each step you take and move at a pace. This will help you not lose your balance.

If you do this all the time, you will be less likely to hurt your head or break your hip. You will not have to go to the emergency room as much. Falls are a problem, but moving carefully can help prevent falls. 

• Footwear and Clothing Choices

Shoes and clothing are really important. Shoes that do not slip or slippers that provide support can help people stay steady when walking around the house.  

On the other hand, high heels or shoes that are too loose can cause people to trip and fall. It is also important that clothing is comfortable and has hems that are not too long, as these can get caught underfoot.    

For people with foot problems, weak muscles, or difficulty balancing, it is especially important to wear appropriate shoes and clothing. When older adults pay attention to what they wear at home, they can reduce the risk of falling. It becomes easier for them to walk safely around the stairs, hallways, and bathrooms.    

• Health Maintenance Habits

Regular health checks are important for preventing falls. You should get your vision and hearing checked regularly (and if you ever need a hearing aid or glasses), as this can help you balance better.    

Drinking plenty of water and eating food helps keep your muscles strong, especially the muscles in your legs. Plus, it gives you lots of energy, too. If you have a long-term health condition, you should manage it.   

Of course, that means to take your medicine like you are supposed to and talk to your doctor about how to control it and stop it from getting worse. 

All of these things can help reduce the risk of falls. That is critical for health checks and fall prevention. These habits support older adults’ confidence in walking, moving, and performing daily tasks, lowering the chance of serious injury, broken bones, or emergency room visits.  

Final Thoughts: Building a Personalized Fall Prevention Plan

The risk of falls is different for every adult. When it comes to adults and the risk of falls, the first step is to identify what personal factors might be a problem.  

This includes balance issues, medications the older adult is taking, vision or foot problems, and household hazards.  

A healthcare provider or physical therapist can help older adults identify areas for change to reduce fall risk.  

The healthcare provider or physical therapist can help adults manage fall risk. When making changes, start with the basics. Try to do one or two things at a time, like putting a grab bar in the bathroom or doing tai chi for balance three times a week.     

It is helpful to have a family member or caregiver with you because they can help you remember to do these things and see the changes in your walking, leg strength, or how afraid you are of falling. 

Regular reassessment is key. As a person’s health, medications, or home environment changes, the plan should adapt. This ongoing approach helps prevent future falls and keeps older adults moving safely, maintaining confidence and independence.

Ultimately, taking steps to prevent falls improves quality of life, reduces fear, and helps older adults remain independent longer.