We’ve put together some information on falls including what to do if you fall and how to help prevent them.

What to do if you fall

  • Having a fall is often a shock. Take a moment to get your breath back and orientate yourself before you try to move.
  • Check the area for any items you may have dropped and broken as you don’t want to move and hurt yourself more.
  • If you’re not hurt you may want to try and get up from the floor. Think about how you’re going to do this in stages, moving so you’re near a stable piece of furniture, such as a  chair first; then onto your hands and knees before getting up.
  • If you’re hurt or unable to get up, you should summon help by using a pendant alarm, banging on the wall, calling for help or crawling to the telephone.
  • Roll or wriggle to a soft surface, such as carpet.
  • Keep warm by covering yourself with clothing or a table cloth. Keep moving and warm by regularly rolling or moving positions to avoid pressure sores, stiffness and to help circulation.
  • If you need to empty your bladder, use a newspaper or item of clothing to soak up the urine then roll away from the damp area.
  • Tell your GP about the fall so that they can find out why it happened.

How to reduce the risk of falls

This is general advice to help you to reduce your risk of a fall. Always follow professional medical or healthcare advice you’ve been given and don’t delay asking for professional help with falls.

To help you reduce the risk of falls:

  • Make sure your home is well lit and free of clutter.
  • Never leave items on the stairs.
  • Make sure your home is free from trip hazards such as rugs, frayed carpets or trailing wires.
  • Fit handrails and grab rails where needed on stairs, steps and in the bathroom.
  • Keep items that you use within easy reach to avoid bending and climbing.
  • Don’t rush to answer the door or telephone.
  • Turn on a light when getting out of bed at night.
  • Use a non-slip mat in the bath.
  • Arrange furniture so that it won’t fall over.  Remove castors from chairs to make them more stable.
  • Use walking aids provided.
  • If you have a community alarm, wear it and check it monthly.
  • Take care with clothes that trail such as dressing gowns and trousers.
  • Try to ensure that your steps, stairs, footpaths and driveways are kept clear of clutter and rubbish. Wet leaves on a footpath can make the surface very slippery.
  • Leave space to move safely round furniture.

If you're worried about your balance or are fearful of falling, Ealing Falls Prevention can help you with looking after yourself:

  • Get regular sight and hearingchecks. (Please be aware that there may be a charge if you are under 60).
  •  Look after your feet, wear properly fitting shoes and slippers. See a chiropodist if necessary. (You may have to wait for an NHS chriopodist; provate chiropody will have a charge).
  •  Be safe moving around your home at night, keep a torch by your bed, use night lights or leave a light on in the hallway and near the toilet.
  • Remove or tape down uneven tiles or carpeting, especially in walkways, on stairs and doorways. Keep passages clear.
  • Buy a non-slip bath mat from the pharmacy. Drink plenty of water - and accept that you may not be able to drink as much alcohol as you used to. As our bodies age, alcohol cannot be processed as well as it once was. It can also interact with different medicines.

Further tips and reliable health and wellbeing information can be found by visiting the NHS live well website here.  

  • Move about - get up for a walk or stretch every 20 minutes or so if you’ve been sitting for a long time. Try a nearby Strength & Balance programme.
  • Try a Tai Chi, gentle yoga or light stretching class - there are some free in community centres but others charge.

For more information, please visit the Ealing gov website here.

  • Take regular exercise, even if this is only a short walk, to keep muscles strong and joints supple.
  • Do any exercises that you’ve given to improve your strength and balance. Don’t exercise if you’re are ill or just after eating. Increase exercise gradually.
  • Speak to your doctor or another health professional if you experience pain you haven’t before.

  • Make sure your shoes and slippers fit well. Footwear that protects and supports your foot with non-slip soles is recommended.
  • Fastenings like velcro will help secure your feet and make footwear more secure when you walk.
  • It’s advisable to wear shoes or slippers indoors as they provide better grip and protect the foot from injury.
  • Have your toenails cut on a regular basis.
  • Check your feet for injury and swelling. If you have painful feet seek professional advice.

  • Some medicines can increase your risk of falling, but it’s important that you don’t stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor first.
  • Ask your GP or pharmacist to review your medications. Ask about the side effects and the best way to take the medication.
  • Follow the instructions for each medication you take.
  • Take tablets with a glass of water.

  • Sometimes blood pressure can drop when you change position. This can happen if you move too quickly particularly when getting out of bed in the morning.
  • Take extra care when getting out of bed or if you’ve been sitting for a long period. Move your arms and legs before sitting up and again before standing.
  • When you stand up, count slowly to three before moving away from furniture to make sure that you don’t feel dizzy. Walking on the spot before moving away from furniture can help.
  • Sit down if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

  • Swollen ankles and swollen feet are common and are not usually cause for concern, particularly if you’ve been standing or walking a lot.
  • You need to discuss the swelling with your GP for a diagnosis and treatment which can help.
  • You may be advised to raise your legs on a stool, if you do, you need to ensure that you protect your heels so they don’t become sore.

Exercises like the one described below can help to pump fluid back up your legs:

  • Sit upright, hold on to the side of the chair and straighten your left leg with your foot off the floor
  • With your leg straight and raised, point your toes away from you
  • Point your toes back towards you
  • Try two sets of ten exercises with each foot.

  • Increase your daily intake of calcium and vitamin D (dairy produce, and tinned boned fish and sunlight).
  • Regular healthy meals help to keep up strength and vitality.
  • Try to include 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day:  these contain important vitamins and minerals, fibre and anti-oxidants; starchy foods (such as bread or rice) for energy; milk and dairy foods provide calcium for bones; 2 portions of protein-rich food (such as meat, poultry, eggs or lentils) every day. Avoid eating too many treat foods such as cakes and biscuits.
  • Drink plenty of fluid to ensure the functioning of all the body’s organs, 1.5-2 litres a day unless otherwise advised (variety of hot and cold drinks). Not drinking enough fluids may result in low blood pressure and increase the risk of falls.
  • Tea and coffee can be decaffeinated (caffeine irritates the bladder and prevents absorption of vitamins and minerals).
  • You can also fruit such as melon, grapes, apples and nectarines - which are mainly water – as part of your 5 portions a day.
  • Foods such as soup, jelly, gravy, custard, ice cream, milky cereal and milky porridge also help to increase fluid intake.
  • You may need to consider how much alcohol you drink each day/week. Alcohol can make you unsteady and alter how some medication works.

  • Clothing that’s too long can be a trip hazard. You should also take care to ensure that laces and belts aren’t trailing.
  • It can be safer to get dressed sitting down, including when pulling items over your head.

  • Walking aids can help to improve your balance and make you feel more confident.
  • If you’ve been provided with a walking aid, it’s important to use it. Don’t be embarrassed if it helps you stay steady.
  • Check walking aids for signs of wear, for example, brakes and the rubber (ferrules) at the base
  • Avoid using furniture to help you walk.
  • Make sure your walking aid is the correct height. The height of the handgrips should be at the level of the wrist bone when your elbows are very slightly bent (at an angle of about 15°).

  • Take care of your vision. Bifocal and varifocal glasses can make some people unsteady, especially on stairs or slopes as they can make it difficult to judge steps.
  • You may be better with separate glasses, one set for reading and another for other activities.
  • You need to remember not to walk when wearing your reading glasses.
  • Wearing sunglasses can help to reduce glare on sunny days.
  • Clean your glasses daily.

Please contact your GP if you feel you need to be assessed by a member of our Falls service team. They can refer you using the referral form sent to: ealingcommunity.referrals@nhs.net.

Strength and Balance is a 10-week programme delivered by StayActive4Life in locations throughout Ealing.

Tel: 01753 653836 Email: admin@StayActive4Life.co.uk 

Ealing Handyperson Service can help with small practical jobs to make your home safer and easier to manage.

Tel: 020 8825 6070 Email: HandyPersonReferrals@ealing.gov.uk

Careline provides a personal alarm service with either a basic or enhanced monitoring service - chargeable.

Tel: 0300 123 2986

Age UK Ealing offer a free telephone support and befriending service.

Tel: 020 8567 8017 Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/ealing/ 

Southall Community Alliance offers keep fit, gentle exercise, Strength and Balance classes for all ages.

Tel: 020 8574 8855 Email: southallcommunityalliance@hotmail.com

Ealing Centre for Independent Living (ECIL) offer free information, support and advice to disabled people in Ealing.

Tel: 020 8280 2274 Website: www.ecil.org

Ealing Advice Service (EAS) free local advice,information and signposting for benefits, care and support.

Tel: 020 8579 8429 Website: www.ealingadvice.org

Everyone Active local leisure centres have loads of activities on offer for all abilities – bowls to badminton, swimming and social clubs (charges will apply).

Website: www.everyoneactive.com

Healthy Homes Ealing free and impartial advice on energy bills, insulating your home and how to upgrade old and inefficient heating systems. They also offer financial assistance and grants.

Tel: 0800 083 2265 Website: www.ealing.gov.uk/HealthyHomesEaling.

Return to Falls service
Where we provide your care

Ealing Day Treatment Centre 
Britten Drive, Southall, UB1 2SH
Telephone: 0300 123 4544

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