Falls Prevention Starts at Home: An Occupational Therapist’s Guide to Staying Safe and Independent

Every year, one in three older Albertans experiences a fall. While many people think falls are simply a part of aging, the reality is that most falls are preventable. A single fall can have significant consequences, including injury, reduced confidence, loss of independence, and decreased participation in meaningful activities. Fortunately, there are practical steps that can dramatically reduce fall risk and help individuals remain safe and active in their homes and communities.

As Occupational Therapists (OTs), we take a holistic approach to falls prevention by looking at the interaction between a person, their environment, and the activities they perform every day. While balance and strength are important, one of the most effective ways to reduce fall risk is often through simple changes to the home environment.

Why Occupational Therapy Plays a Key Role in Falls Prevention

Occupational Therapists are uniquely trained to identify everyday challenges that may increase fall risk. Through a home safety assessment, an OT can identify hazards, recommend modifications, and suggest equipment that supports safety while maintaining independence.

Many falls occur at home due to environmental hazards that are easy to overlook but relatively simple to address. In fact, Finding Balance Alberta reports that more than half of all falls occur within the home.

Rather than waiting until a fall occurs, proactive changes can significantly improve safety and confidence.

Key Home Modifications That Reduce Fall Risk

Create Clear Walking Paths

One of the simplest but most effective interventions is reducing trip hazards throughout the home. Consider:

  • Removing loose throw rugs
  • Securing electrical cords along walls
  • Keeping hallways and walkways free of clutter
  • Rearranging furniture to create clear pathways
  • Keeping frequently used items within easy reach

Even small obstacles such as laundry baskets, pet toys, or footwear left on the floor can become significant hazards.

Improve Lighting

Poor visibility is a major contributor to falls, particularly during nighttime bathroom trips.

An Occupational Therapist may recommend:

  • Night lights in hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms
  • Motion-sensor lighting
  • Brightening stairwells and entrances
  • Ensuring light switches are accessible at both ends of staircases

Good lighting allows individuals to better identify changes in flooring, obstacles, and steps.

Make Bathrooms Safer

Bathrooms are among the highest-risk areas for falls because of wet, slippery surfaces and transitions from sitting to standing getting trickier as we age. Transitions can sometimes cause light-headedness or we our muscles don’t support us in getting up from the toilet or bath as well as they once did.

Recommended modifications often include:

  • Installing properly secured grab bars beside toilets and in showers
  • Using non-slip stickers or tiles on the base of baths and showers
  • Keeping floors dry and ensuring bath mats are secure
  • Ensuring essential items are within easy reach
  • Adding adequate lighting for nighttime use

Importantly, towel bars and soap dishes are not designed to support body weight and should never be used for balance.

Address Stair Safety

Stairs can be particularly challenging for individuals experiencing changes in balance, strength, vision, or mobility.

Effective stair safety strategies can include:

  • Installing rounded handrails which offer maximal grip strength
  • Ensuring stairways are well lit
  • Marking stair edges with contrasting colours when depth perception is impacted
  • Removing objects from stairs
  • Keeping one hand free for the handrail when carrying items
  • Having a safe way to transfer items between floors

These changes can significantly reduce the likelihood of trips and missteps.

Equipment That Can Help Prevent Falls

While home modifications form the foundation of falls prevention, certain pieces of equipment can further enhance safety and independence.

Grab Bars

Properly installed grab bars provide stable support during transfers in the bathroom and are one of the most commonly recommended falls prevention interventions.

Shower Chairs and Bath Benches

For individuals who experience fatigue, dizziness, or reduced balance when stepping over the ledge of the tub with prolonged standing, seated bathing and transfer benches or boards can significantly reduce risk one risk of falling and provide energy conservation as well.

Raised Toilet Seats

Standing up from a low toilet requires considerable leg strength and balance. Raised toilet seats can make transfers safer and easier for many older adults, while completing daily leg strengthening exercises and working alongside an in-home physio or kinesiologist can also make this easier.

Mobility Aids

Canes, walkers, and rollators can improve stability when appropriately prescribed and fitted. Occupational Therapists can assess whether a mobility aid is needed and provide education on proper use. Many individuals are reluctant to use a walking aid, fearing they may look “old” or “helpless” and see the aid as an infringement on their independence. In reality, using the right device and using it consistently can greatly reduce one’s fall risk and is what will promote your independence long-term, as the independence that would be stripped of you from a fall would be much greater than any independence lost from having a mobility aid by your side.

Handrails and Support Rails

Additional railings near entrances, stairways, and areas where individuals frequently transition from sitting to standing can provide valuable support throughout the home. Ensuring you have the right style of handrail that maximizes your grip strength and supports that won’t tip on you or break off when weight is placed on them is essential.

The Often-Overlooked Factor: Your Footwear

After years of conducting home safety assessments, Occupational Therapists know that one of the most overlooked contributors to falls is not just what’s in your home, but what’s on your feet!

Even the safest environment can become hazardous if footwear doesn’t provide adequate support, traction, and stability. Worn-out soles, backless slippers, flip-flops, and poorly fitting shoes can significantly increase the risk of slips, trips, and loss of balance. Finding Balance Alberta includes footwear among its key falls prevention resources and educational materials because proper footwear plays a critical role in maintaining safe mobility.

When I found Step Ahead Footwear in Mahogany (SE Calgary), I was delighted to meet Lisa and her family who were friendly and quick to share their knowledge about which footwear best supports individuals when impacted by achy feet, arthritis, diabetes, and more.  Not only do they offer a wide selection of shoes to try on in-store, but if you’re not able get to them easily, they are mobile like OT2U Ltd. and can travel to you for shoe fittings.

Below, Lisa has linked some of the footwear that best aligns with Finding Balance Alberta’s recommended “ideal shoe”. Following these links does not give OT2U Ltd. any kick-back. Lisa and I (Lauren) simply wanted to co-create a blog to help both our clientele be better informed about the resources that exist in the city to assist with falls prevention!

Step Ahead Footwear, located in Mahogany (SE Calgary), is a family-owned and operated business with over 24 years of experience specializing in comfortable, functional, and orthopaedic footwear that supports aging in place and fall prevention. Lisa and her team provide expert, personalized fittings for all foot shapes, sizes, and conditions—including arthritis, diabetes, wide or hard-to-fit feet, and those needing orthotic accommodations or modifications. They carry a wide selection from trusted brands like New Balance, Saucony, Brooks, Altra, and others, emphasizing proper fit, stability, and traction while offering in-house shoe repair services and even mobile fittings for local residents.

Here are a few recommended styles that align well with Finding Balance Alberta’s “ideal shoe” criteria (low heel, secure fit, slip-resistant outsole, good support, wide toe box, and stability features):

These can be tried on in-store for the best fit. The team at Step Ahead excels at matching shoes to individual needs for maximum safety and independence. Products can also be found at Stepaheadfootwear.com.

To receive more tailored recommendations for you and your home, connect with one of our occupational therapists who offer 1:1 in-home consults to provide recommendations not only around falls-prevention, but feeling comfortable in all aspects of aging in your community. To book your consult click here.