By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–The County’s Aging and Independence Services is urging older adults and caregivers to take time to identify and address potential fall hazards.
While slippery surfaces and uneven sidewalks are well-known risks, everyday household items such as loose rugs, poorly lit hallways and hard-to-reach objects also can increase the risk of serious injuries at home.
Falls were the leading cause of emergency department visits among adults ages 60 and older in 2024, according to county data. Nearly 40,000 older adults were treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries, more than 13,000 were hospitalized and 338 died.
“A fall can happen in an instant, but recovering from a broken wrist or hip fracture can take months,” said Allison Boyer, interim Director of County Aging and Independence Services. “With some simple proactive planning, older adults can greatly reduce their risk of falling and serious injury.”
Five fall prevention steps:
Stay active. Leg strengthening and balance exercises, like tai chi, help build stability. Free classes are available to support healthy living and physical activity.
Review medications. Some prescriptions have side effects such as dizziness or fatigue, increasing fall risk.
Check vision and hearing. Annual exams and updated eyeglasses or hearing aids improve balance and awareness.
Improve home safety. Increase lighting, remove clutter, secure rugs, and install grab bars in bathrooms.
Assess your risk. The online Falls Free CheckUp helps adults identify personal risk factors and offers safety guidance.
Older adults who fall once are twice as likely to fall again, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Risk factors include vision or hearing loss, lower body weakness, balance issues, certain medications, chronic conditions such as diabetes or arthritis, and tripping hazards in the home.
Falls — even those that don’t cause injury — can significantly affect quality of life. Many older adults limit activities because they fear falling again, which can lead to physical decline, depression and isolation.
San Diego County’s Aging and Independence Services offers fall prevention resources online.
For questions about any of the fall prevention programs, email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call (858) 495-5500.
