Falls are common, and they are not a normal part of aging that you just have to accept. The CDC reports that more than 14 million adults 65 and older, about one in four, say they fall every year, and falls are the leading cause of injury in that age group. What matters most is what happens next.
First, tell the doctor
Every fall should go to your parent's doctor, even when nothing seems broken. Ask specifically about medications that cause dizziness or low blood pressure, vision, foot problems, and strength and balance. A referral to physical therapy is often the single most useful thing to come out of that visit, and Medicare may cover it.
What helps at home
- Clear the path between the bed and the bathroom, add night lights, and remove loose rugs.
- Grab bars by the toilet and in the shower, and a shower chair.
- A medical alert button worn all the time, including in the shower.
- Someone checking in daily, by phone or in person, at a set time.
Signs it is time for more help
- Falls at night, or falls you only hear about days later.
- Lying on the floor for a long time before help came.
- Your parent is afraid to move, and is getting weaker because of it.
- Needing help to stand up, or needing two people to help.
- Memory problems that make it hard to remember the walker or the alert button.
Where people who fall do best
A six-bed board and care home is often a strong fit: caregivers are awake and nearby at night, the home is often a single level, and help getting to the bathroom is part of the routine. Board and care in California typically runs $3,000 to $6,000 a month. If your parent cannot walk at all or needs a two-person transfer, the home must be cleared for non-ambulatory residents, and we only suggest homes that are.
Reviewed October 2, 2026. General information, not medical or legal advice. Talk with your loved one's doctor about their health.