Falls prevention

The numbers

• 196,000+ ACC fall claims for people 65+ in 2025
• $460 million+ in ACC costs from falls in older people
• Nearly 40% of all ACC injury claims are falls
• Most ambulance-attended falls involve people aged 75+
• A hip fracture often marks the end of independent living

What causes falls

• Environmental hazards — loose rugs, poor lighting, wet floors, cluttered walkways, no grab rails
• Reduced strength and balance — muscles weaken with age, especially without regular exercise
• Medications — blood pressure drugs, sedatives, and some antidepressants can cause dizziness
• Vision problems — poor eyesight, bifocals on stairs, not wearing glasses
• Footwear — loose slippers, socks on polished floors, worn-out shoes
• Rushing — hurrying to the toilet, especially at night

Home safety modifications

See the full room-by-room home safety checklist. The highest-impact changes:

• Grab rails in the bathroom (beside toilet + in shower) — single most effective modification
• Non-slip mats in the shower and on bathroom floor
• Night lights on the path from bedroom to bathroom
• Remove loose rugs or secure with non-slip backing
• Handrails on all stairs

Strength and balance exercises

Regular strength and balance training can reduce falls by almost a third. This is one of the most effective interventions available.

ACC Live Stronger for Longer

ACC funds community-based strength and balance programmes across NZ. These are group exercise classes designed specifically for older people, run by trained instructors.

• Free or low cost (ACC-funded)
• Available in most communities
• No referral needed — find classes at livestronger.org.nz
• Evidence-based programmes: Otago Exercise Programme, Tai Chi, community group classes

The Otago Exercise Programme

Developed at the University of Otago. Individually prescribed strength and balance exercises done at home, plus regular walking. Shown to reduce falls by 35% in clinical trials. Available through physiotherapists — ask the GP for a referral.

Other fall risk factors to address

• Medication review — ask the GP to review all medications for fall risk. Reducing or changing certain medications can significantly reduce falls.
• Vision check — annual eye test. Ensure glasses prescription is current. Avoid bifocals on stairs.
• Footwear — well-fitting, non-slip shoes inside the house. Not bare feet, not loose slippers.
• Vitamin D — deficiency is common in older NZers and increases fall risk. GP can test and supplement.
• Alcohol — even moderate drinking increases fall risk in older people.

What to do after a fall

• If injured or unable to get up: Call 111
• If not injured: Roll onto side, get to hands and knees, crawl to sturdy furniture, push up to standing. Practice this when you're not under pressure.
• Always tell the GP about a fall — even if uninjured. Falls often cluster — one fall predicts another. The GP can assess underlying causes and refer to falls prevention services.
• Consider monitoring — a medical alarm or passive sensor system means someone knows if a fall happens, even if your parent can't call for help. See monitoring options compared.