A fall in your home could
lead to a trip to the hospital

Safe Senior Living Guide (2026)
By Tim Spitzack | Editor | May 2026

It’s springtime, but if you’re age 65 and older your mind should be focused on fall – fall prevention that is. According to the National Council on Aging (NCA), one out of four older adults falls each year, many of which result in injury and even death. While chances increase with age and for those with chronic health conditions, falls happen even to the physically fit. Most falls (75%) happen in or near the home, so it’s important to review hazards in your home and make changes accordingly. Most modifications are simple and can be accomplished yourself, but others may require hiring a professional contractor.
The NCA offers the following tips to help improve home safety.

Outside entryways – Inspect and fix any areas of the sidewalk and steps that are uneven or damaged. Add additional lighting – motion sensor lights are ideal – to improve visibility, and install a railing or grab bar if none exist.

Kitchen – Put daily-use items like dishes, glasses and seasonings on the lowest shelves to avoid using stepstools and chairs. When you need items on top shelves, ask a family member, friend or neighbor for assistance. Area rugs are tripping hazards and should be removed. If you prefer to have a mat near the sink or an outside doorway, use a heavy-backed rubber rug that won’t turn at the edges.

Stairs – Keep steps free of clutter, including shoes, purses and other items. Make sure stairways are well-lit, with a light switch at the top and bottom, and consider adding a second handrail so you have one on each side.

Hallways – Ensure hallways are well lit and consider using LED bulbs to reduce the number of times bulb changes are needed. Falls are particularly dangerous when standing on a chair or stepladder, so ask a family member, friend or neighbor to change bulbs for you, and to retrieve any other items in your house that are out of reach.

Bedroom – Make sure a light and phone are near the bed and easy to reach. Keep the pathway from bed to bathroom clear and consider placing a night light near the bathroom. Motion detector styles are available. If you have mobility issues, a bed rail that fits snugly between your mattress and box spring can be helpful.

Bathroom – Add a non-slip rubber mat or rubber self-stick strips to the shower or bathtub, and install grab bars by the toilet, bathtub and in the shower. Grab bars must be installed at the correct height and properly anchored to the wall, so a professional may be needed for this job. Consider adding a hand-held shower head, shower chair or even a walk-in tub-shower combination to create more accessible options for bathing.

While advances in medicine and improved physical fitness help people remain independent longer, physical changes occur over time and individual assessments should be made regularly. People at the highest risk of falling are those who have already fallen in the past year, who use a cane or walker, who sometimes feel unsteady when walking or dizzy when standing up, who take medication that causes dizziness, and those who have weak leg muscles, which is evident by having difficulty standing up from a chair, stepping onto a curb or using steps. People at high risk should talk with their doctor and consider using a medical alert device, especially if they live alone.

Healthy Aging Expo
The second annual Healthy Aging Expo is held 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, May 13 at Thompson Park Activity Center, 1200 Stassen Ln., West St. Paul. It features wellness support, community resources, social activities, housing services, free refreshments and healthy snacks, and music by harpist & banjoist Bob Payton. More than 25 senior service provider vendors will be there giving expert advice on how to live a vibrant and active life at every stage of aging. The event is free.

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