Looking for Fall Prevention Products? Start Here, Room by Room
Mobility & Comfort · Buying guide · 5 min read
Looking for Fall Prevention Products? Start Here, Room by Room
More than one in four adults over 65 in the US has a fall each year, and most of those falls happen at home, during ordinary moments: a trip to the bathroom at night, a step out of the shower, getting up from a low chair. The good news is that the most useful fall prevention products are small, inexpensive and quick to set up. This guide brings them together, room by room, with links to our more detailed guides for each one.
Before buying anything: the four things that matter most
- Light on the route they walk at night.
- Something solid to hold wherever they stand up, sit down or step over an edge.
- Grip underfoot: non-slip mats, no loose rugs, and shoes with a back.
- Less bending and reaching, so they are not off balance on a wet or uneven floor.
For the full checklist, see Preventing Falls at Home: A Room-by-Room Check.
Bedroom and hallway: light the night-time route
The walk from bed to bathroom in the dark is one of the most common moments for a fall. Motion-sensor lights switch on by themselves, so nobody has to find a switch.
- SafePath Motion Sensor Night Lights 6-Pack: dimmable plug-in lights for hallways.
- SafePath Mini Night Light 4-Pack: compact plug-ins with automatic dusk-to-dawn sensing.
- TouchGlow Mini Bedside Lamp: a touch lamp, so there is no small switch to fumble for.
Read more: Night Lighting That Actually Helps at 3am, and for getting in and out of bed, Bed Rail or Stand-Assist Handle?
Bathroom: grip, a seat and a higher toilet
Wet tile, a low toilet and nothing to hold make the bathroom the highest-risk room in the house.
- SafeBath Adjustable Shower Stool or the SafeBath Adjustable Shower Chair with Back: sitting to wash turns a long stand into a short one.
- Raised Toilet Seat with 7 height positions: takes load off the knees when standing up.
- NightGuide Toilet Night Light 2-Pack: a soft light inside the bowl for night-time trips.
- ReachClean Long-Handle Back Scrubber: washes feet and back without bending on a wet floor.
Read more: Making the Bathroom Safer, Step by Step, Choosing a Shower Chair and Grab Bars: Where They Go and How They Mount.
Stairs: light every step and keep a hand free
- GlowStep Motion Sensor LED Light Strip: rechargeable motion-sensor strips that light the steps, with no wiring needed.
- StepSure Stair Assist Cane: a stable 4-legged cane that doubles as a standing aid.
Read more: Stairs: The Three Fixes That Matter Most.
Walking: the right support and the right shoes
- SteadyStep Adjustable Walking Cane: lightweight, with a non-slip tip.
- RollEase 3-in-1 Rollator: a walker with a seat that converts to a transport chair.
- EasyFit Wide-Width Comfort Shoes: closed back and adjustable strap. Slippers without a back are one of the most common causes of trips.
Read more: How to Choose a Walking Cane, Cane or Walker: Which Does My Parent Need?, Transport Chair, Wheelchair or Rollator? and Shoes for Swollen Feet.
If a fall does happen: getting help fast
Prevention lowers the risk; it does not remove it. Lying on the floor for a long time after a fall is what turns many falls into serious ones, so make sure help is one press away.
- CareGuard SOS Call Button & Caregiver Watch: a call button that alerts a caregiver in the home, with no Wi-Fi or subscription.
- CallOut Personal Safety Alarm: a loud 130dB siren to draw attention.
Read more: Is There a Medical Alert With No Monthly Fee? and Power Cuts, Alarms and Getting Help Fast.
What products cannot do on their own
Equipment works best alongside three things worth raising with a doctor: a review of medications that cause dizziness or drowsiness, an eye check, and simple strength and balance exercises. A physical or occupational therapist can suggest exercises and assess the home for a specific person.
Browse everything in Mobility & Comfort and Daily Living Aids, or see all our guides on the Blog.
