Common causes of trips and falls

Falls are often caused by:

• poorly organised and cluttered walkways and stairs, inadequate or unsuitable lighting

• moving or carrying something incorrectly, for example when lifting heavy pots try to slide them across the worktop to the sink instead of lifting 

• rushing around

• tiredness

• physical ability, lack of mobility or lack of balance

• poor eyesight, inappropriate glasses

• physical and medical conditions that make people more likely to fall such as having low blood pressure

• medication that can lead to dizziness – people on four or more different types of medication have an increased risk of falling

Look out for environmental hazards

Trip and slip hazards can be a problem in all homes, especially in houses with exposed wooden floors, loose carpets and rugs.

Slippery floors

You should look out for:

• spills and splashes of liquids and solids

• wet floors

• changing from a wet to a dry surface

• dusty floors

Cluttered floors

Removing clutter or obstructions on floors and stairs, like loose mats or trailing cables, can help reduce the risk of a fall.

Uneven floors

Be aware of:

• changes in surface level or sloping surfaces

• holes and cracks

• unsuitable floor surfaces or coverings – for example loose or worn flooring, patterned carpets on stairs

Bad weather, which can make surfaces slippery, and unsuitable footwear can also increase the risk of a fall.

Five steps to avoiding hazards

There are five recommended risk assessment steps for keeping slips and trips to a minimum:

• look around for anything that may cause an accident

• decide who is most at risk

• take preventative measures

• keep a record of what you have changed

• continually check your living space – keep a note of all potential hazards

Keep active to reduce the risk of trips and falls

You can help your general well-being and help to reduce the risk of trips and falls by keeping active and healthy.

A good way to make your muscles stronger and to improve your balance is to take regular exercise. Exercise is important for older people, who are more vulnerable to trip hazards in the home.

You don't have to go to the gym to stay active. Simple tasks like gardening, regular housework and walking can boost energy levels and improve coordination and balance. Strength and balance exercises done on a regular basis are one of the best ways to help keep active in later life and reduce the risk of falls. You can look out for local strength and balance classes in your area. 

• Keeping mobile and preventing falls

Older people - getting help and advice

Make sure you carry out a risk assessment of all the rooms in your home. For example, do you have handrails for your bath or is the kitchen free of clutter and well lit?

Contact your local council for information on how to arrange a free Home Safety Check.

• Local councils in Northern Ireland

Children

Children are prone to trips and falls and you should always do a safety inspection of potential play areas, both at home and when you are out.  Serious falls can take place on stairs and from windows and balconies.

• Home safety(external link opens in a new window / tab)

How walking can improve your health

1. Walking helps with weight loss

Taking regular exercise is especially important as we get older and our metabolism slows down, making us more likely to put on weight.

The only way to lose weight is to use up more energy that we take in, and a daily walk can help to burn off some of those calories.

The number of people who are overweight or obese is rising. The latest Health Survey for England (2014) showed the following groups as overweight or obese:

• 78% of men aged 65 to 74

• 80% of men aged 75 to 84

• Over 70% of women aged 65 to 84.

2. Brisk walking helps to keep the heart strong

According to the British Heart Foundation, over 1 in 7 men and nearly 1 in 10 women die from coronary heart disease (CHD) in the UK. However, people who are physically active are at lower risk of CHD.

Brisk walking can help to keep your heart strong by increasing your heart rate. It can also reduce your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure in the long-term.

High blood pressure is also a key risk factor for stroke, which usually affects people over the age of 65. Some communities are also at higher risk from heart disease. For example, people of South Asian origin are at particular risk of CHD. Experts think this is because of diet and lifestyle.

3. Physical exercise reduces your risk of developing cancer

According to Cancer Research UK, cancer causes more than 1 in 4 of all deaths in the UK. Physical activity can reduce your risk of developing some cancers, including breast, bowel and womb cancer.

4. Walking also reduces your risk of developing type-2 diabetes

There are 3.9 million people living with diabetes in the UK in 2015. Most of these cases are Type 2 diabetes, which is more likely to affect adults and those who are overweight or obese.

People in some communities are more likely to have diabetes than others. For example, people of south Asian descent can be up to 6 times more likely to have diabetes than the general population. African-Caribbean, Black African, and Chinese people are also more at risk.

However, you can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes with regular exercise and a healthy diet.

5. Walking can help strengthen your bones

Walking can help to strengthen bones, helping to prevent the onset of osteoporosis, which makes bones brittle and more likely to break.

According to the National Osteoporosis Society, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will break a bone largely due to osteoporosis during their lifetime. 

6. Walking will improve your mood and mental wellbeing

Regular exercise will improve your mood and increase feelings of wellbeing - and it can even help to relieve depression. Being outside in the fresh air has been linked to better mental wellbeing and reduced stress.

Walking can also be a social activity when done in a group or with friends, so it can help to tackle feelings of isolation or loneliness.

7. Being physically active can reduce your risk of developing dementia

It is now thought that being physically active and leading a healthy lifestyle could reduce the risk of developing dementia.

Exercise is also beneficial for the wellbeing of people with dementia. It can lead to improved strength and flexibility, better sleep, and some studies suggest it may improve memory and slow mental decline.

Get further information

• Visit the Walking for Health website

Getting help with drug or alcohol problems

Your doctor can help you get advice and a referral to services that help with drug or alcohol problem. Some support services accept self-referrals from people misusing alcohol or other substances.

Help in an emergency when someone has taken alcohol

Alcohol is a drug and has strong effects.

If you notice someone who has drunk alcohol and is behaving in a way that makes you anxious about their safety, the safety of those around them, or who has become very ill from drinking alcohol, take the following steps:

• tell them you're concerned about their safety

• telephone 999 and ask for an ambulance or help from the police

• make sure the person's airways aren't blocked, for example by vomit and check they haven't swallowed their tongue

• don't let them fall asleep without someone watching them

• don't let them leave or walk alone

• don't let them drive - take their car keys if possible

• get help from the police or paramedics as quickly as you can

Help in an emergency when someone has taken drugs

Look out for danger signs if you or other people have taken drugs, including:

• overheating

• dizziness

• sickness

• sudden tiredness

• headaches

• cramps and aching arms and legs

People on drugs showing these symptoms or looking distressed could have had an allergic reaction to the drug they've taken, or may have overdosed.

It's important to take the following steps immediately:

• get help and be honest about all drugs they've taken

• telephone 999 and ask for an ambulance

• clearly and calmly say where the patient is, what drugs they've taken and what their symptoms are

• if instructed to, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, put the patient into the recovery position or do something else to save the person's life

• make sure the person's airways aren't blocked, for example by vomit and check they haven't swallowed their tongue

• collect evidence of any drugs they may have taken, such as containers that drugs were kept in, including wrappers, packets, cling film, tin foil and syringes, and get a small sample of vomit if the person was sick - as this information can help doctors to give the best treatment

• stay until the ambulance arrives

• Drugs and your child

Getting help in your area

There are local dedicated drug and alcohol support services, providing help to people with drug and alcohol problems.

If you have a problem with alcohol or drugs and want information about support services near you, go to:

• Treatment and support services (external link opens in a new window / tab)

Self-referral

If you need help because you're misusing alcohol or other substances, you can refer yourself to get help and support. Check support and advice services in your area that accept self-referrals. 

• Treatment and support services(external link opens in a new window / tab)

Support for family members

There is support and advice for people affected by a family member's substance misuse even if that person isn't receiving treatment. 

• Northern Ireland drugs and alcohol services directory(external link opens in a new window / tab)

Mental health services for drug or alcohol problems

There are different mental health services available across Northern Ireland to deal specifically with drug and alcohol-related problems.

For information about statutory, voluntary and community mental health organisations, go to:

• Find a mental health organisation(external link opens in a new window / tab)

More useful links

• Your local doctor (GP)

• Community pharmacists

• Lifeline freephone helpline

• Alcohol and your body

Getting help when feeling unwell

Regardless of age, very few people feel well all the time. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can get help when you're ill, or if you just need advice about your health.

Your GP practice doesn't always need to be your first point of contact when you feel unwell. There are other services that can help you directly or put your mind at rest.

How can a pharmacist help me?

Pharmacists can give expert advice on getting the most from your medicines, both prescribed or over-the-counter. A pharmacist can also help you with minor health problems, such as aches and pains, allergies, sore throats and colds, eye infections, stomach problems and skin conditions.

Some pharmacies have an NHS-funded service for minor ailments called Pharmacy First. If you already receive free prescription medicines (for example if you are 60 or over) then a Pharmacy First service can give you free medicines for certain short-term illnesses without you needing to see your GP.

What does a GP do?

Your GP (General Practitioner) can give you medical advice, treatment and prescribe medication. They might also refer you to other health professionals to conduct tests, diagnose or treat specific aspects of your condition. For example, they may refer you for a hearing test, to a chiropodist or to your local falls prevention service.

You can register with a GP of your choice but you must live in their catchment area. They must also have space for new patient registrations.

You should register with a doctor as soon as you move into a new home even if you don't currently have any health issues.

What does a nurse in a GP practice do?

Often practice nurses, nurse practitioners and specialist nurses work alongside GPs. They can diagnose, treat and manage a range of health conditions. Some nurses who’ve completed additional training can also prescribe certain medications.

Can I call the NHS for advice?

NHS 111 is a free national telephone service for people needing medical help or advice in a non-life-threatening situation. The phone line operates 24 hours a day for 365 days a year.

Highly trained staff will ask you some questions about your symptoms. Following this, they may tell you how to look after yourself at home, suggest you see a pharmacist or recommend you make a GP appointment when the surgery is next open. If the problem is more serious, they may recommend you go to your nearest walk-in centre, minor injuries unit or A&E department. If it's very serious, they will connect you directly to the ambulance service.

What is an NHS walk-in centre, urgent care centre or minor injuries unit?

These are for patients with non-life threatening conditions. They can help with minor illnesses and injuries, such as sprains and strains, infections and rashes, minor burns, head and eye injuries, and insect and animal bites. These centres are open seven days a week from early morning until late evening, and no appointment is needed. They can be located in town centres or hospital grounds and are usually led by experienced nurses.

When do I need to go to the A&E department?

If you believe your illness or injury may be life-threatening, seek help by calling 999 or go to your nearest A&E department. A&E departments operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Life-threatening issues include:

• loss of consciousness

• persistent chest pain for 15 minutes or more

• heavy blood loss

• medicine overdose

• signs indicating a stroke.

Signs of a stroke may be difficult to recognise but the FAST test can help.

• Facial weakness: can they smile? Has part of their face fallen on one side?

• Arm weakness: can they raise both arms and keep them up?

• Speech problems: can they speak clearly or is their speech slurred?

• Time: call 999 if you see any single one of these signs.

Not all hospitals have an A&E department and may have limited urgent and emergency care services available.

Find an A&E service

Where can I find more information?

• NHS Choices

• Age UK NHS services factsheet (PDF, 586 KB)

• Age NI Advice Service

  Every year our Advice Service deals with thousands of calls from older people in need. Call us today to make sure that you are receiving all the help and support available to you.

  Call freephone 0808 808 7575
  Monday - Friday 9am – 5pm 

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