Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2026 September)
Falling down can be dangerous at any age, but for older adults, it can be devastating. The good news is that falls are not inevitable. There are actions you can take to prevent them. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) recommends doing these six things to prevent a fall.
1. Find a good balance and exercise program. Look for programs that build balance, strength, and flexibility.
- ElderLink offers free fall prevention workshops – Walk with Ease, Bingocize, and a Matter of Balance. Learn more.
- Fitness classes such as SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life), a fall prevention program, are offered in many Fairfax County Senior Centers and for free at the Virtual Center for Active Adults.
2. Talk to your health care provider. Ask for an assessment of your risk of falling. Share your history of recent falls.
- You can also check your fall risk using NCOA’s Falls Free CheckUp®. Answer 13 simple questions to get your falls risk score and resources to prevent falls.
3. Regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist. Make sure side effects aren’t increasing your risk of falling. Take medications only as prescribed.
4. Get your vision and hearing checked annually and update your eyeglasses. Your eyes and ears are key to keeping you on your feet.
5. Keep your home safe. Remove tripping hazards, increase lighting, make stairs safe, and install grab bars in key areas.
- Fairfax County’s Consumer Resource Guide to Home Repair and Renovation was created to highlight free home maintenance programs and services to support aging in place for eligible older adults who rent or own a home.
6. Talk to your family members. Enlist their support in taking simple steps to stay safe. Falls are not just an older adult issue.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).