Written by Hulet Smith, OT
About half of all older adults over 80 fall at least once every year. Fortunately, fall prevention devices can make a dramatic difference in reducing the rate of falls. We describe a wide variety of fall prevention devices, explain who needs them and why they are beneficial. This article is not a comprehensive shopping list, but rather offers suggestions for varying degrees of fall risk!
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·Factors to Consider |
The first thing you should do when considering purchasing preventive devices is consider what level of assistance is appropriate. Our article on 6 Things to Look for When Evaluating If a Loved One is a Fall Risk gives you topics that can help you evaluate. If you are unsure, we recommend speaking with a doctor to accurately determine what risk you are.
The famous Benjamin Franklin quote “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies to fall prevention! Since falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults age 65 and older, it’s critical to prevent falls before they happen. It is very important to have this mindset when determining what products you might need.
Falls are often caused by tripping hazards like wires or small rugs. Consider making your home safer in general by decluttering, swapping small rugs for large ones, getting wires and other tripping hazards off the floor. There also needs to be a clear path in every room; you shouldn't have to step over something (including dirty laundry!) to move around in a room. There are small steps you can take right NOW while you shop for fall prevention products. Moving forward, usually the first items purchased are grab bars and high-watt bulbs.
 | VivaLift! Radiance Series Power Lift Chairs View Product |
Lift chairs help older adults stand from a seated position. Lift chairs have repeatedly proven themselves beneficial for users with varying degrees of fall risk. Most seniors spend a good deal of time in their living room, so purchasing a lift chair is very practical (you know it’ll get a lot of use!). Lift chairs have become increasingly popular recently for seniors who want to age in place because these devices look like “home furniture” and fit in well with other decor in the home. They are also comfortable chairs and are available in a range of designs. Take a look at the range of styles and our favorite picks in our article Top 5 Best Lift Chairs.
 | EZ-ACCESS PATHWAY® 3G Modular Access System View Product |
 | National Ramp Aluminum Threshold Journey View Product |
Ramps are a standard part of home renovations for older adults aging in place. Have you ever hit your foot on a curb and had lightening pain? Let’s try to avoid that from happening again. There are small threshold ramps that are indoor/outdoor, as seen in Top 5 Best Threshold Ramps. If you are not sure where to start, a threshold ramp could be a good start. However, if you are at a fall risk and plan to age at home, then we recommend proactively getting a ramp! Oftentimes, an older adult has a fall and immediately needs to use a wheelchair to recover. When families are in this dilemma, their backs are usually against the wall. To avoid this, view our Top 5 Wheelchair Ramps for Home, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions about ramps. Rehabmart has a dedicated and knowledgeable staff that can help you design the perfect ramp for your home!
 | Assist Rail - Guardian Safe-T-Pole by Medline View Product |
 | HealthCraft P.T. Rail, Angled View Product |
Installing poles, handles and handrails throughout the home is a great way to easily enhance safety and decrease fall risk. Handrails and poles can be added anywhere in your house (not just your bathroom!), and most supportive poles are pressure-fitted for simple installation. Adding handrails is usually the first step in fall-proofing your home, due to the low cost and easy installation. Various types of rails can provide assistance for fall-risk users. There are a lot of products to consider in this category, so be sure to check out our article on Poles, Handles, and Handrails for sale for guidance about which products would be best for your home.
 | Drive Medical Height Adjustable Small Base Quad Canes View Product |
A cane provides minimal assistance for fall prevention and is among the most widely-used fall prevention devices for the elderly. Older adults who require extra support on occasion or who need to redistribute weight off of a lower extremity due to an injury will benefit from using a cane. Canes come in all heights and have a wide variety of styles; check out our article on Top 10 Best Walking Canes to see some of our favorites.
Patient transfer devices is a broad term, and includes devices such as: ceiling lifts, support poles, toilet frames, and bathroom grab bars, among many others. Since it can be difficult to decide which device is most suitable for you or a loved one when it comes to fall prevention, we put together a Complete Guide to Patient Transfer Devices & How to Use Them. This article reviews a wide range of patient transfer devices and provides a summary of each type.
 | Length Adjustable Bed Assist Rail from Stander View Product |
.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "Bedroom Step and Handrail - Step 2 Bed") | Bedroom Step and Handrail - Step 2 Bed View Product |
Bed rails are a great option for individuals that need help entering/exiting the bed, or who are at risk for falling out of the bed. There is a wide range of bed rails and stools out there, so check out our article on How to Choose a Bed Rail for Seniors to learn more about the various types. Keep in mind that bed rails are designed to provide assistance, and they should not be intended to keep someone in the bed (e.g. users with dementia). Users with dementia usually try to climb over the bed rail, which actually increases the risk of falling! We recommend Safety Beds for users who are cognitively impaired.
 | Sliding Transfer Shower Bench with Swivel Chair by Platinum Health View Product |
 | Step 2 Tub Bathtub Safety Step with Rail View Product |
Bathtub benches and rails are an easy way to prevent falls in the bathroom, where most falls take place. These devices increase the support for older adults as they transition to and from the bathtub. To increase visibilty, many bath chairs are bold colors so they stand out from white bathroom tile. Our articles on 5 Best Bathtub Transfer Benches and Top 5 Best Bathtub Rails provide summaries of some of the most popular products in these categories.
 | Savanah Raised Toilet Seat with Lid View Product |
Elevated toilet seats prevent individuals from having to rely completely on leg strength to stand up from a low sitting position, which can help prevent falls. They are an easy and relatively affordable way to help prevent falls in the bathroom. They are especially helpful for older adults who suffer from frailty or weakness in the lower extremities. If you want to learn more about elevated toilet seats, take a look at our article on What is an Elevated Toilet Seat & How to Choose One.
 | Upright Rollator / Rollator Walker with Seat and Forearm Supports View Product |
 | Signature Life Elite Travel Walker View Product |
Rollators and walkers provide medium assistance for older adults at risk for falls. These are best for individuals who are able to walk but who may struggle with balance or prolonged movement. Deciding between a walker and rollator will depend on what kind of mobility assistance you need. A walker has a frame with handles and legs (and 0 or 2 wheels) that requires a person to lift it between steps, whereas a rollator has 4 wheels so it can simply be pushed forward. If you’re not sure which to choose, browse our articles about The 5 Best Rollators and 5 Best Walkers for Balance Problems, which outline the best options for varying levels of mobility.
 | Sara Stedy Patient Transfer Aid by ArjoHuntleigh (FULLY ASSEMBLED) View Product |
Sit to stand lifts are popular fall prevention devices because they can help seniors become more mobile by allowing a smooth transition to standing from a sitting position in bed or on a couch. As explained in our article on The 5 Best Sit to Stand Patient Lifts, these fall prevention devices are best for individuals who have limited mobility and are lacking the strength to rise independently from sitting.
 | AllCare Adjustable Floor Bed by Med Mizer View Product |
It may seem obvious, but a lower bed can dramatically reduce fall risk. It’s a good idea to invest in a low bed as a preventive measure regardless of an individual’s mobility, but it is especially important for those at high risk of falling. Low beds are also great for seniors who may roll out of bed, wander at night, or have a difficult time transferring from wheelchair to bed due to a higher bed height. For ideas about which beds are best for older adults, read our article on The 5 Best Low Beds for Fall Prevention.
 | Guardian Toilet Safety Frame by Medline View Product |
 | Dignity Lifts - BL1 Toilet Lift View Product |
Toilet frames and lifts provide enhanced support for older adults who may experience instability when sitting and standing. Frames include grab bars on each side so that an individual can use arm strength when using the toilet, while toilet lifts provide even more support by actually helping to raise the person from sitting to standing. Both can help increase independence and reduce falls in this population.
 | Jazzy EVO 613 Power Wheelchair by Pride Mobility View Product |
Wheelchairs and scooters provide maximum assistance for individuals at high risk for falls. If you or a loved one requires a wheelchair or scooter, you need to determine what level of assistance is required before you decide on a model. There are two broad wheelchair categories: manual and power. Manual wheelchairs are great for people whose upper body mobility is intact. Powered wheelchairs are best if there is any upper body compromise. Lastly, scooters are best for travel and outdoor use. Check out our articles on The 5 Best Electric Power Wheelchairs and The 5 Best Mobility Scooters, which explain the benefits of these devices.
 | Medline Electric Hoyer Lift - Adjustable Base and 6-Point Cradle View Product |
Patient lifts–also sometimes called “Hoyer” lifts–are extremely versatile fall prevention devices and can assist older adults with limited mobility in a range of settings. Like wheelchairs, there are two broad categories of these devices: manual and powered. They come in various weight lifting capacities - some can even lift 1,000 pounds. One of the main advantages to having a Hoyer lift is that it can significantly reduce caregiver strain when helping with transfers. Check out our article on The 5 Best Hoyer Lifts to determine which model is most suitable for you or your loved one.
 | Adjustable Lift Bed with Sleep-to-Stand Feature - Envyy by Platinum Health View Product |
Instead of a low bed, it might make more sense for some older adults to invest in an adjustable bed. Many adjustable beds can lift and pivot, which turns the bed from a flat sleeping surface into a chair. This can help older adults more easily move to and from the bed. Some adjustable beds also offer low bed height, under bed lighting, and many sleeping positions. There may be health benefits to sleeping in an adjustable bed, depending on your condition. Read our article on the Top 10 Adjustable Beds for Seniors for more information about the types of adjustable beds and their benefits.
 | GentleBoost Uplift 3-in-1 Commode Shower Chair by Platinum Health View Product |
Bedside commodes allow individuals to use the bathroom without walking too far, which reduces the likelihood of falling. It’s usually placed in the bedroom for convenience. Many bedside commodes offer a 3-in-1 design, which means in addition to toileting assistance it provides assistance while bathing. Bedside commodes are great for older adults who experience incontinence at night because it eliminates the need to walk back and forth from the bathroom in the dark. Our article on the 5 Best Bedside Commodes explains more about various models and features.
A: It’s important for caregivers to understand the correct protocol for helping someone after a fall. First, talk to the person to make sure they are conscious and feeling well enough to get up–if there is a loss of consciousness or broken bone, attempting to lift the person might actually cause more harm. Next, gently roll the person onto their side and encourage them to use their knees for support. If there is a chair available, move it close to the person so they can use it for stability. When they are kneeling, use a second chair to help move them to a seated position. For more detailed steps and information (and pictures!), read our article on How To Lift The Elderly Off The Floor.
A: How you approach caring for someone after a fall will largely depend on the nature of the fall and any injuries sustained. In general, there are a few best practices, which include scheduling a follow-up visit with a provider, considering which fall prevention devices could prevent a repeated accident, determining the cause of the fall, and encouraging strengthening exercises to prevent future falls. For more tips, read our article on the 6 Ways to Care For a Loved One After a Fall.
A: It is especially important to consider fall prevention devices for the bathroom, where slippery surfaces and the nature of sitting/standing movement makes falls more likely. Consider installing a range of fall prevention devices in these spaces, such as bathtub benches and rails, grab bars, and toilet frames. For more information on bathroom-specific products, read our article on Aging in Place: Bathroom Design.
A: 80% of falls in the older adult population occur in the bathroom. For this reason, it is important to invest in the bathroom fall prevention devices mentioned in this article. You can also invest in bedside commodes to discourage walking to and from the bathroom.
In summary, due to the high incidence of falls in the geriatric population, simple fall prevention devices can significantly increase safety and quality of life. Fall prevention does not need to be extensive or complex; it can be as simple as reducing the number of hazards in the home.
There is an extensive range of products available to help prevent falls in the elderly population. As outlined in the article, these include mobility aids, transfer devices, bedroom fall prevention devices, home fall prevention products, fall alarms, and bathroom fall prevention products. Bathroom fall prevention is extremely important, since so many falls happen in this environment.
Thank you so much for reading our article on essential fall prevention devices for the elderly! For more product ideas and articles about fall prevention in this population, visit Caregiver University.
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Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
