How to Prevent Falls and Fractures in Older Adults?
- November 20, 2025
In India ageing population is rising, so falls are becoming a significant health concern among older adults. It happens that thousands of older citizens fall and get fractured, lose independence, and require extended hospitalisation every year. The majority of those are preventable as long as individuals are informed about falls and take more prompt action.
This article features the perspectives of the rehab specialists at Garden PMR Hospital, discusses preventing falls in older adults, its evidence-based techniques, and lifestyle change approaches to prevent falls in older adults. Since every knowledge of these preventive measures is needed as a caregiver, family member, or older adult, it can make a good difference in quality of life, independence, and safety.
Why Falls and Fractures Are a Big Issue for Older Adults
Falls are also among the major reasons for injuries and disability in older people. Physiologically, as people grow older, their muscle strength, balance, flexibility and reaction time will naturally go down and this will predispose an individual to the loss of control over them. Increased risk is also caused by other conditions such as visual and hearing impairment, slow reflexes and medication side effects.
The social and emotional effects are also severe. Following a fall, most elderly patients have a fear of falling in future and this causes low physical exercise and isolation. This further causes weakness of muscle strength and dependence on the caregivers.
At Garden PMR Hospital, specialists in geriatrics and neuro-orthopaedic rehabilitation often treat patients with fall-related injuries. Through their experience, they emphasise a vital point: while rehabilitation can restore health and mobility, prevention is always the most powerful technique to ensure long-term wellbeing.
Key Risk Factors Older Adults Must Know
Here is the first step towards understanding what causes falls in older people, and these are the key factors:
Intrinsic (personal) factors are:
- Weakness and lack of balance in the muscles.
- Gait abnormalities or balance issues
- Hearing or vision impairment.
- Side effects of various drugs (polypharmacy).
- Cognitive impairment and poor memory.
Examples of environmental risks are:
- Slippery bathroom floors
- Dark corridors or staircases.
- Slopes and floors or mats that slide so easily.
- Absence of grab bars or handrails.
Lifestyle and health-related risks:
Elderly fall risk in India is high due to conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or a history of past falls. Identifying and addressing the risk factors early can significantly reduce fall incidents.
Practical Strategies to Prevent Falls and Fractures
Emphasis should be placed on home safety and physical health, thereby effectively preventing falls in the elderly.
Home Safety Modifications
- Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and kitchen.
- Install handrails on stairs and grab bars on toilets
- Always keep pathways clean, and there should be enough lighting in every room.
- Switch those loose carpets to fixed mats.
Exercise and Balance Training
Well-structured exercise programmes encompassing strength, balance, and flexibility, e.g., yoga or exercises of physiotherapy-oriented, are useful tips to prevent falls and fractures in older adults.
Vision, Hearing, and Medication Check-ups
Periodic health check-ups can identify medicines that make one feel dizzy or unbalanced. Accidents are also avoided by attending to sensory problems.
Bone Health and Fracture Prevention
Proper calcium and vitamin D intake, osteoporosis test, and safe and supportive footwear will decrease the risk of fracture and improve stability.
Behavioural Changes
Basic routines such as getting up gradually, using help tools when necessary and not using wet or dark places are best for preventing senior citizen fall prevention home safety in Kerala.
How Does Garden PMR Hospital Support Older Adult Fall Prevention in Kerala?
Being ranked as one of the best Geriatric Rehabilitation Hospitals in Kerala, Garden PMR Hospital gives full care to the elderly with a concentration on prevention and recovery.
The rehab specialists in Kerala conduct comprehensive gait and balance assessments to reduce the risks of falls. Some of the other services delivered are home-safety assessments, physiotherapy and occupational therapies, and fall-prevention workshops. This is particularly relevant to the seniors and the caregivers.
The Garden PMR Hospital, which is located in Kottakkal, combines physiatrists, specialists in geriatric rehabilitation and contemporary neuro-orthopaedic care. The combination of traditional Ayurvedic rehabilitation and generalised medical methods has made the hospital a reliable older adult fall prevention hospital in Kottakkal and a leader in Geriatric Rehabilitation in India.
With patient-centred care, compassionate therapists, and evidence-based rehabilitation, Garden PMR hospital is a secure place to heal and ensure proactive fall prevention
Future Outlook: Promoting Safe Ageing and Fracture Prevention
It is now possible to prevent falls and even fractures with the application of new technologies and the healthcare sector. For community older adults with wearable alert systems, motion sensors, and wellness programmes, which make them more active and safe.
Regular physical and balance examination and early rehabilitation can significantly decrease the number of falls in the elderly over the age of 60. Falls are not an inseparable aspect of ageing, and with the appropriate support and ambience, the senior citizens can still be able to enjoy their mobility, dignity and independence even in their old age.
Fractures and falls in the aged are an increasing and preventable issue. Protection of the elderly against physical and emotional fall impact can be achieved through awareness, environmental safety and timely rehabilitation.
At Garden PMR Hospital, professional therapists and doctors advise the families and elderly on proactive measures towards safety and self-confidence in daily activities. Contact our hospital today to have your fall risk assessment or have your physiotherapy or home-safety assessment. Keep in mind that preventing falls in older adults should be considered professionally, in the proper environment, and to attain safe ageing.
