Falls in Older People: symptoms, self-care and when to get help
Checked against current published health guidance — last reviewed 2026-09-23. See how we check.
Falls are common in older people and are not an inevitable part of ageing. After a fall, stay calm and check for injuries before trying to get up. Call your local emergency number if the person cannot get up, is unconscious, has hit their head and is on blood thinners, or may have a broken bone. Anyone who has fallen should mention it to their GP.
Overview
Common causes of falls include muscle weakness, balance problems, dizziness, poor eyesight, some medicines, long-term conditions, and hazards at home such as rugs, clutter and poor lighting.
A fall can knock someone's confidence even if they are not hurt, and fear of falling can lead to doing less, which in turn weakens muscles. A falls assessment can help break that cycle.
What may help
- After a fall, stay calm and check for pain or injury before moving
- If not hurt, roll onto hands and knees, crawl to a sturdy chair and get up slowly
- If unable to get up, keep warm, change position regularly if possible, and call for help
- Keep a phone or personal alarm within reach
- Remove trip hazards, improve lighting and fit grab rails where needed
- Keep active with strength and balance exercises, and have regular eyesight checks
When to see a pharmacist or GP
- Any fall, even without injury, especially if falls are happening more often
- Dizziness, fainting or unsteadiness
- Worry about falling that is stopping someone from doing everyday things
- A review of medicines that might cause dizziness or drowsiness
When it could be an emergency
- The person is unconscious or cannot be woken
- They cannot get up, or have been on the floor for a long time
- They have hit their head and take blood-thinning medicine, or are confused, drowsy or being sick after hitting their head
- Severe pain, a leg that looks shorter or turned outwards, or they cannot put weight on it (possible broken hip)
- Heavy bleeding, chest pain or difficulty breathing
If any of these apply, don't wait — call your local emergency number (see emergency numbers by country, or Red Flags in the app), or go straight to your nearest emergency department.
Want more detail, tailored to your own situation?
Look up "Falls in Older People" in the appCommon questions
What should I do if an older relative falls?
Stay calm, check for injuries, and do not rush to lift them. If they are not hurt, help them get up slowly using a sturdy chair. If they cannot get up or are hurt, keep them warm and call for help.
How can falls be prevented?
Strength and balance exercises, removing trip hazards, good lighting, well-fitting footwear, regular eyesight checks and a review of medicines can all help.
What is a falls assessment?
A check, often arranged through a GP, that looks at the reasons someone is falling, such as balance, medicines, eyesight and their home, and suggests ways to reduce the risk.
Why should a fall be reported to a GP even if there is no injury?
A fall can be a sign of an underlying problem, such as an infection, a heart rhythm problem or a side effect of medicine.
Official sources
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General information only, last checked 2026-09-23 — not medical advice and not a diagnosis. This page doesn't cover every cause or every person's situation; for anything specific to you or someone in your care, speak to a pharmacist, GP, or other qualified professional. See how we check. Be Health Wise is part of the Be Wise family of apps.