It happened. Maybe it was minor. Maybe it wasn't. Either way, it changed everything.
A fall is often a turning point — even when everyone says it was "nothing."
For families, a fall creates fear. For the person who fell, it often creates a quieter fear: of moving, of being seen as fragile, of losing independence.
The statistics are clear: once someone has fallen, they're significantly more likely to fall again. And the consequences tend to get worse each time.
That's not a reason for panic. It's a reason for awareness and action.
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in adults 65+. Most are preventable.
Even after recovery, the fear often remains — leading to less movement and faster physical decline.
To avoid falling again, people move less. Less movement leads to weakness. Weakness increases fall risk.
Bathroom trips, grogginess, poor lighting — nighttime falls are common and often more serious.
Bruising, chronic pain, reduced confidence — effects that linger but don't always get reported.
Falls usually aren't random bad luck. They're symptoms — of something environmental, physical, or medical that hasn't been addressed:
The fall itself is usually the result. Unless you address the cause, the next one is just a matter of time.
A post-fall safety review evaluates the home, circumstances, and contributing factors — so you know what to fix.
Targeted modifications — grab bars, lighting, rug removal, bathroom safety — address the most common risk factors quickly.
Monitoring tracks movement and activity so family knows when gait, balance, or routine is changing — before the next fall.
"Mom fell last month. She says she's fine, but we're terrified it'll happen again — and next time no one will be there."
That fear is valid. But the answer isn't to wrap someone in bubble wrap — it's to reduce the risks they face every day and have visibility into how they're actually doing.
Falls are often preventable. Repeat falls almost always are — with the right knowledge and setup.
Changes in gait and movement often precede another fall
Reduced activity after a fall signals increasing risk
Nighttime bathroom patterns reveal fall-prone moments
Passive awareness catches changes before the next incident
StillWell Health supports families in the St. Louis Metro East region with fall prevention and home safety solutions.
Research shows that environmental factors contribute to the majority of falls—and a first fall greatly increases the risk of a second.
In situations like this, the most effective next step is a professional home safety review—to identify what caused the fall and prevent the next one.
Let's figure out why — and what needs to change so it doesn't happen again.
