Falls (NHS)

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: National Health Service · Published: August 30, 2026 · Accessed: August 30, 2026

Visit the source ↗

Claims this source supports

• Falls are common and causes include muscles getting weaker, conditions affecting mobility or balance, and medicines that can affect balance.
• Prevention includes staying active with strength and balance activities at least twice a week, wearing well-fitting shoes with good grip, using non-slip mats in the bath or shower, fitting safety rails on steps and grab rails in the bathroom, wearing a personal alarm or carrying a phone, regular eye tests and hearing checks, and reviewing medicines with a GP or pharmacist if they could affect balance.
• If you fall and feel able to get up: take your time, roll onto your side, push up onto hands and knees, crawl to something stable, stand slowly, and sit down to rest.
• If you cannot get up after a fall: use a phone or personal alarm to get help, try to keep warm, move your body and change position about every 30 minutes to help prevent pressure sores.
• Call 999 if you or someone else has fallen and may have injured the head, back, neck or hip, or cannot get up; get help from NHS 111 if the fall may have caused pain, injury or unwellness.
• See a GP if you are worried about your balance or mobility, or you have had a fall; a GP may refer you to a specialist falls service that checks for muscle weakness, weak bones (osteoporosis), eyesight problems, home safety, and medicine review.