Fall Risk Factors Elderly People Can Fix: Shoes, Eyes, Medicines

In short: The fall risk factors elderly people can most easily change are footwear, eyesight, medicines, dizziness on standing and drinking enough. The NHS advises well-fitting shoes with good grip, regular eye tests, asking a GP or pharmacist whether medicines affect balance, and a falls assessment after any fall. Never stop a medicine without advice.

The main fall risk factors elderly people can change

Many fall risk factors elderly people face can be reduced, and the NHS names footwear, eyesight, medicines, blood pressure and not drinking enough among them. A fall is rarely down to one thing, which is why a falls assessment looks at several at once.

The NHS lists these causes of falls: muscles weakening with age, conditions affecting mobility or balance such as arthritis, stroke or Parkinson’s disease, low blood pressure, side effects of some medicines, problems with eyesight or hearing, and dementia. Nidirect adds heart disease to its list of conditions that raise risk.

Some of these cannot be changed, but several can. This guide covers the ones a family can act on this week: shoes and slippers, eye tests, a medicines check, dizziness on standing, and fluids. NICE guidance on falls covers people aged 65 and over, and people aged 50 to 64 with a condition that may put them at risk. It was last reviewed on 29 April 2025.

Our falls prevention at home checklist covers the house itself, and what to do after a fall explains the response when one happens.

Footwear: shoes and slippers that help

Choose shoes or slippers that fit well, do not slip off and have a good grip. That is the NHS advice, and it is among the quickest fall risk factors elderly people can address, because it costs little to change.

Age UK gives more detail in its staying steady guide, December 2025:

• Always wear shoes, sandals or slippers indoors, not bare feet, socks or tights, which increase the risk of slipping.
• Choose well-fitting shoes with low heels, thin soles and good grip, and avoid high heels.
• Choose high-sided shoes, which Age UK’s falls page suggests alongside low heels, thin soles and good grip.
• Make sure clothing, such as long dressing gowns or trousers, does not trail on the ground.

Backless or loose slippers are an obvious concern, because the NHS says shoes and slippers should not slip off. If feet are swollen, painful or the person cannot get shoes on easily, mention it to a GP, who can advise or refer for foot care. The sources we checked do not give a specific recommendation on orthotics or foot care services, so ask locally.

Eyesight: regular eye tests and glasses

Have eyes tested and the glasses prescription checked at least every two years, even if sight seems fine. Age UK gives that advice because eye conditions can be caught early, and the NHS recommends regular eye and hearing tests to reduce falls.

In England, the NHS says you are entitled to a free NHS sight test if you are 60 or over, as well as in other situations such as having diabetes or glaucoma. Age UK also says NHS eye tests are free from age 60. Entitlement can differ in the other UK nations, so check with an optician.

Tests at home

The NHS says that if you are eligible for a free NHS sight test, you may also qualify for a mobile test, where an optometrist visits you. This applies if you cannot leave home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability, or if you live in a care home and cannot leave unaccompanied for the same reasons.

Glasses on stairs

Age UK says bifocal or varifocal lenses can make steps and surfaces look closer than they are, so ask your optician for advice if you use them, especially on stairs. Keep glasses clean and within reach of the bed, and see our night lights and safe bedrooms guide for night-time lighting.

Hearing matters too. The NHS says problems with hearing or the ears can affect balance, and Age UK says to raise hearing changes with a doctor promptly, since some causes are easily treated.

Medicines among the fall risk factors elderly people should review

Ask a GP or pharmacist whether any medicines could affect balance, and do not stop or change a medicine without their advice. The NHS names side effects of some medicines as a cause of falls and advises asking a GP or pharmacist.

Age UK suggests asking your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines regularly, because you may no longer need some, or the dose may need changing. It says to tell your doctor or pharmacist if medicines make you feel faint or dizzy, and to check the leaflet for side effects. Alcohol can also affect balance and can interact with some medicines.

The NHS says pharmacists can advise on how to use medicines and on concerns about side effects, and can refer you to a GP if they cannot help. Nidirect says a GP assessing a fall may review medicines for side effects that raise fall risk. The sources we checked do not list particular medicines, so we do not either.

Before the review

• Write down every medicine, including those bought over the counter, with doses.
• Note when dizziness or drowsiness happens in relation to taking them.
• Take the list and the carer, if there is one, to the appointment.

If you help with medicines at home, our medication support at home guide explains how care workers can help safely.

Blood pressure and dizziness: fall risk factors elderly people overlook

Dizziness on standing is worth reporting to a GP, because the NHS lists low blood pressure as a cause of falls. The NHS defines low blood pressure as a reading of less than 90/60mmHg, and says symptoms that appear when you stand up or change position suddenly suggest postural hypotension.

Symptoms listed by the NHS include light-headedness or dizziness, feeling sick, blurred vision, general weakness, confusion and fainting. Its self-help advice is to:

• get up slowly from sitting to standing
• move slowly from lying to sitting to standing when getting out of bed
• avoid sitting or standing for long periods, and avoid bending down or changing posture suddenly
• eat small, frequent meals, drink more water and limit alcohol

The NHS says to see a GP if symptoms such as dizziness and fainting keep happening. A pharmacist, practice nurse, GP or home monitor can check blood pressure. If a medicine is the cause, a GP may change the medicine or dose, which is a decision for them. Nidirect says a GP may check blood pressure lying and standing.

Age UK also says poorly controlled diabetes can cause faintness or dizziness, and to speak to your doctor if you often feel dizzy or need furniture for support.

Fluids, food and keeping strong

Drink enough fluids and eat well, because the NHS says not doing so can cause light-headedness or fainting. Age UK suggests aiming for 6 to 8 cups or glasses a day, about 1.5 litres, and drinking more in hot weather.

If someone has been told by a doctor to limit fluids because of a medical condition, follow that advice instead. The NHS also advises looking after bone health through calcium and vitamin D. A GP or pharmacist can say whether anything more is needed.

Keeping muscles strong is another of the fall risk factors elderly people can influence, as is the home itself. The NHS advises being active every day and doing strength and balance activities at least twice a week. The NHS says a falls service may offer strength and balance training, and a walking aid may help some people. Because the right aid depends on the person, ask a GP, physiotherapist or occupational therapist first, and see our walking aids guide.

If swallowing, appetite or weight are changing, tell the GP, since poor intake raises other risks too. Carers who find it hard to encourage drinking can offer small drinks often, rather than large ones.

Getting a falls assessment and local routes

Ask a GP about a falls assessment after any fall or if balance is a worry, and consider a free council care needs assessment too. The NHS says a GP will check balance by watching you stand and move, and a specialist falls service may check muscle weakness, weak bones and eyesight, review medicines and look at the home.

The NHS says you may be able to self-refer: ask the GP surgery reception, check its website, or contact your local integrated care board. Anyone can ask the council for a care needs assessment, which can look at changes to make the home safer. Our free equipment guide covers what may follow.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The advice on shoes, eyes, medicines and fluids applies across the UK. NHS 111 Wales and nidirect give the same GP-first advice, and NHS 111 Wales says to ask the surgery or search for local falls services. NHS 111 Wales does not explain how to request a care needs assessment in Wales, so ask your council. We could not fetch the NHS Scotland falls page, so for Scotland ask your GP practice or council about local falls services. Eye test entitlements also differ by nation, so check with an optician.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main fall risk factors for older people?

The NHS lists weakening muscles, conditions such as arthritis, stroke or Parkinson’s disease, low blood pressure, side effects of some medicines, eyesight or hearing problems and dementia. Many can be improved, so tell a GP about any fall.

What footwear is best to prevent falls?

The NHS says to choose shoes or slippers that fit well, do not slip off and have good grip. Age UK adds low heels and thin soles, and says to avoid walking about indoors in bare feet, socks or tights.

How often should an older person have an eye test?

Age UK advises having eyes and glasses checked at least every two years, even if sight seems fine. In England, NHS sight tests are free from age 60. If someone cannot leave home, ask whether they qualify for a home test.

Can medicines cause falls?

The NHS says side effects of some medicines can contribute to falls. Ask a GP or pharmacist whether yours could affect balance. Do not stop or change any medicine yourself. Let the GP or pharmacist decide whether a change is appropriate.

What should I do if an older person feels dizzy when they stand up?

Get up slowly in stages, as the NHS advises. If dizziness or fainting keeps happening, see a GP, who can check blood pressure and review medicines. A pharmacist or practice nurse can also check blood pressure.

How much should an older person drink to avoid dizziness?

Age UK suggests 6 to 8 cups or glasses a day, about 1.5 litres, and more in hot weather. The NHS says not eating and drinking enough can cause light-headedness or fainting. Follow any limit your doctor has given you.

Who can do a falls assessment?

A GP can check balance and refer you to a falls service. The NHS says you may be able to self-refer by asking the GP surgery or your local integrated care board. Your council can also do a free care needs assessment.

Official sources

• NHS: Falls
• NHS: Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• NHS: Free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers
• NHS: How pharmacies can help
• Age UK: Falls prevention
• Age UK: Staying steady (AgeUKIG14, December 2025)
• nidirect: Falls
• NICE: Falls assessment and prevention (NG249)

This page is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice. The Care Panel is an independent guide and is not part of any government body or care provider. Last checked 9 November 2026.

Related: Falls prevention at home checklist · What to do after a fall · Medication support at home

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 9 November 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.