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Prevent falls at home

Information about local services and tips for home modifications that can help you prevent falls.

Understand your risks

Preventing falls is incredibly important as you age or if you have a long-term health condition. Falls are common, and most do not result in serious injury or broken bones, but a fall could cause you to lose your confidence, making you less independent.

We can work with you or suggest our partner organisations to help if you’ve fallen in the past or want to reduce the risk of falling in the future.

Speak to your GP if you’re worried about falling

If you’re worried that you might be at risk of falling, your GP can:

  • give you advice
  • check for any underlying causes
  • do a balance test with you to check your risk of falling
  • refer you to other groups like community connectors

Referrals to the falls prevention service

Your GP might refer you to the Your Healthcare falls prevention service if you’re:

  • over 65 years old
  • registered with a Kingston GP
  • able to walk indoors without supervision (you can use any walking aid)

They provide information, assessment, advice and treatment to help you prevent future falls and make you safer in your home. Find out more about the Your Healthcare falls prevention service

How you can prevent falls at home

Organise your living space

Our partner Staywell Kingston can help you identify risks at home and organise your living space to prevent you from falling. Get help at home from Staywell

Make your living space safer

You might benefit from equipment and changes to your home to help you move around safely and make it less likely that you fall.

You could:

  • install non-slip mats that will stay firmly in place on wet floors, reducing your risk of slips and falls
  • put motion light sensors on your stairs and under your bed to light up areas to avoid failing
  • use voice-controlled devices like Alexa and Google Home for tasks like turning on lights, opening curtains and calling your family and friends if you need help
  • get help to remove clutter or move anything heavy or hard to carry

You can also hire a handyperson to:

  • secure your furniture to your walls for safety
  • raise your toilet seat
  • fix handrails to help you get around the house

Get equipment from us

You might benefit from equipment and adaptations to your home to help you move around safely and make it less likely that you fall. Our occupational therapy team can give you advice and may be able to provide equipment to help you.

Find out more about occupational therapy

Personal alarms and sensors (telecare)

You can use personal alarm systems to alert a friend or family member if you fall and need help. You can buy these yourself, or have a care needs assessment to find out if you qualify to get them from us. 

Find out more about personal alarms and sensors

Provide a spare key for emergencies

If you live alone, you might want to consider installing a key safe outside your property. This secure box stores a spare key and allows people you trust access to your home in emergencies.

Staywell Kingston provide and fit police-approved key safes to Kingston residents. You can contact them on 020 8942 8256. Learn more about Staywell’s handyperson service

Improve your health and wellbeing

You can prevent falls by:

Find other things you can do to reduce your risk of falling at home on NHS

Returning home after a stay in hospital

If you’ve recently been discharged from hospital after a fall, you might be referred to our Reablement service. It provides advice, practical help, and suggestions for other organisations to help you get back to your usual routine.

Find out more about the Reablement service

Stay connected and safe

If you live alone, this can be especially hard if you’re recovering from an injury after a fall. 

You should:

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