AgePage

National Institute on Aging

Falls and Fractures

A simple thing can change your 

life—like tripping on a rug or slipping 

on a wet spot on the kitchen floor. If 

you fall, then you might be like the 

thousands of older men and women 

each year who break, or fracture, a bone. 

A broken bone might not sound awful. 

But, for older people, a break can be 

the start of more serious problems.

Many things can make you more 

likely to fall. Your eyesight, hearing, 

muscles, and reflexes might 

not be as sharp as when you 

were younger. Diabetes, 

heart disease, or 

problems with 

your thyroid, 

nerves, or blood 

vessels can affect your 

balance. Some medicines 

can cause dizziness. 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Falls and Fractures

A simple thing can change your 

life—like tripping on a rug or slipping 

on a wet spot on the kitchen floor. If 

you fall, then you might be like the 

thousands of older men and women 

each year who break, or fracture, a bone. 

A broken bone might not sound awful. 

But, for older people, a break can be 

the start of more serious problems.

Many things can make you more 

likely to fall. Your eyesight, hearing, 

muscles, and reflexes might 

not be as sharp as when you 

were younger. Diabetes, 

heart disease, or 

problems with 

your thyroid, 

nerves, or blood 

vessels can affect your 

balance. Some medicines 

can cause dizziness. 

Then there’s osteoporosis—a 

disease that makes bones weak and 

more likely to break easily. Many people 

think osteoporosis is only a problem 

for women past menopause, but it can 

also affect older men. Weak bones can 

mean that even a minor fall might be 

dangerous. 

Don’t let a fear of falling keep you 

from being active. Doing things like 

getting together with friends, gardening, 

walking, or going to the local senior 

center are also important for staying 

healthy. The good news is that there are 

simple ways you can prevent most falls. 

Take the Right Steps

If you take care of your overall 

health, you may be able to lower your 

chances of falling. Most of the time, 

falls and accidents don’t “just happen.” 

Here are a few hints that will help you 

avoid falls and broken bones:

F Learn how strong your bones are. 

Ask your doctor about a special test 

called a bone mineral density test. If 

this test shows your bones are weak, 

your doctor can tell you how to make 

them stronger and less likely to break.

F Stay physically active. Plan an exercise 

program that is right for you. Regular 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Falls and Fractures

A simple thing can change your 

life—like tripping on a rug or slipping 

on a wet spot on the kitchen floor. If 

you fall, then you might be like the 

thousands of older men and women 

each year who break, or fracture, a bone. 

A broken bone might not sound awful. 

But, for older people, a break can be 

the start of more serious problems.

Many things can make you more 

likely to fall. Your eyesight, hearing, 

muscles, and reflexes might 

not be as sharp as when you 

were younger. Diabetes, 

heart disease, or 

problems with 

your thyroid, 

nerves, or blood 

vessels can affect your 

balance. Some medicines 

can cause dizziness. 

Then there’s osteoporosis—a 

disease that makes bones weak and 

more likely to break easily. Many people 

think osteoporosis is only a problem 

for women past menopause, but it can 

also affect older men. Weak bones can 

mean that even a minor fall might be 

dangerous. 

Don’t let a fear of falling keep you 

from being active. Doing things like 

getting together with friends, gardening, 

walking, or going to the local senior 

center are also important for staying 

healthy. The good news is that there are 

simple ways you can prevent most falls. 

Take the Right Steps

If you take care of your overall 

health, you may be able to lower your 

chances of falling. Most of the time, 

falls and accidents don’t “just happen.” 

Here are a few hints that will help you 

avoid falls and broken bones:

F Learn how strong your bones are. 

Ask your doctor about a special test 

called a bone mineral density test. If 

this test shows your bones are weak, 

your doctor can tell you how to make 

them stronger and less likely to break.

F Stay physically active. Plan an exercise 

program that is right for you. Regular 
6 7 

F Stay away from a freshly washed floor.

F Don’t take chances. Keep the things 

you use regularly in the kitchen within 

easy reach.

F Don’t stand on a chair or table to 

reach something that’s too high—use 

a “reach stick” instead. Reach sticks are 

special grabbing tools that you can buy 

at many hardware or medical-supply 

stores. If you use a step stool, make sure 

it is stable and has a handrail on top. 

Try to have someone stand next to you. 

F Don’t let your home get too cold or 

too hot—being very cold or very hot 

can make you dizzy. In the summer, if 

your home is not air-conditioned, keep 

cool with an electric fan, drink lots of 

liquids, and limit physical activity. In 

the winter, don’t let the nighttime 

temperature drop below 65 °F.

F Keep emergency numbers in large 

print near each telephone.

Home Improvements To 

Prevent Falls

Many State and local governments 

have education and/or home 

modification programs to help older 

people prevent falls. Check with your 

Put no-slip strips on tile and wooden 

floors. You can buy these strips at the 

hardware store.

In bathrooms and powder rooms:

F Mount grab bars near toilets and 

on both the inside and outside of your 

tub and shower.

F Place non-skid mats, strips, or 

carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.

F Keep night lights on.

In your bedroom:

F Put night lights and light switches 

close to your bed.

F Keep your telephone near your bed.

In other living areas:

F Keep electric cords and telephone 

wires near walls and away from walking 

paths.

F Tack down all carpets and area rugs 

firmly to the floor.

F Arrange your furniture (especially 

low coffee tables) and other objects so 

they are not in your way when you walk.

F Make sure your sofas and chairs are 

the right height for you, so that you can 

get in and out of them easily.
6 7 

F Stay away from a freshly washed floor.

F Don’t take chances. Keep the things 

you use regularly in the kitchen within 

easy reach.

F Don’t stand on a chair or table to 

reach something that’s too high—use 

a “reach stick” instead. Reach sticks are 

special grabbing tools that you can buy 

at many hardware or medical-supply 

stores. If you use a step stool, make sure 

it is stable and has a handrail on top. 

Try to have someone stand next to you. 

F Don’t let your home get too cold or 

too hot—being very cold or very hot 

can make you dizzy. In the summer, if 

your home is not air-conditioned, keep 

cool with an electric fan, drink lots of 

liquids, and limit physical activity. In 

the winter, don’t let the nighttime 

temperature drop below 65 °F.

F Keep emergency numbers in large 

print near each telephone.

Home Improvements To 

Prevent Falls

Many State and local governments 

have education and/or home 

modification programs to help older 

people prevent falls. Check with your 

Put no-slip strips on tile and wooden 

floors. You can buy these strips at the 

hardware store.

In bathrooms and powder rooms:

F Mount grab bars near toilets and 

on both the inside and outside of your 

tub and shower.

F Place non-skid mats, strips, or 

carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.

F Keep night lights on.

In your bedroom:

F Put night lights and light switches 

close to your bed.

F Keep your telephone near your bed.

In other living areas:

F Keep electric cords and telephone 

wires near walls and away from walking 

paths.

F Tack down all carpets and area rugs 

firmly to the floor.

F Arrange your furniture (especially 

low coffee tables) and other objects so 

they are not in your way when you walk.

F Make sure your sofas and chairs are 

the right height for you, so that you can 

get in and out of them easily.
6 

Put no-slip strips on tile and wooden 

floors. You can buy these strips at the 

hardware store.

In bathrooms and powder rooms:

F Mount grab bars near toilets and 

on both the inside and outside of your 

tub and shower.

F Place non-skid mats, strips, or 

carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.

F Keep night lights on.

In your bedroom:

F Put night lights and light switches 

close to your bed.

F Keep your telephone near your bed.

In other living areas:

F Keep electric cords and telephone 

wires near walls and away from walking 

paths.

F Tack down all carpets and area rugs 

firmly to the floor.

F Arrange your furniture (especially 

low coffee tables) and other objects so 

they are not in your way when you walk.

F Make sure your sofas and chairs are 

the right height for you, so that you can 

get in and out of them easily.