Preventing Falls at Home: Practical Steps to Keep Older Love One Safe in Newport, Cwmbranm, Chepstow

A fall can change everything overnight. One trip on a rug, one misjudged step down from the bath, one slippery patch on the path outside – and suddenly a fit, independent older person is in A&E with a broken hip, and the whole family is trying to work out what happens next. Falls are the single biggest cause of hospital admission for older people in Wales, and the effects can ripple out for months and years afterwards.

The good news is that most falls are preventable. At Home Instead Newport, Cwmbran and Chepstow, fall prevention is woven into everything we do – from the very first home visit right through to daily care. Rated 9.9/10 on homecare.co.uk and named a Top 20 Home Care Provider in Wales for five consecutive years, we work with families across Gwent every week to make homes safer, routines steadier, and confidence stronger. Here’s a practical guide to help you do the same.

Why falls matter more than you think

Around one in three adults over 65 will fall each year, and one in two over 80. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. What matters isn’t just the fall itself – it’s what follows:

• Loss of confidence, leading to less activity and faster decline
• Fear of falling again, which paradoxically increases the risk
• Loss of independence – giving up walks, shopping trips, gardening
• Long recoveries from hip fractures and other serious injuries
• A significantly increased chance of moving into residential care
• Family carers taking on more and more, with knock-on strain of their own

Preventing that first fall – or the next one – is one of the single most valuable things a family can do to protect an older loved one’s independence.

The most common causes of falls at home

In the homes we visit across Newport, Cwmbran, Chepstow, Rogerstone and the surrounding areas, falls tend to come from a handful of familiar culprits:

• Trip hazards – loose rugs, trailing wires, cluttered hallways, uneven thresholds.
• Poor lighting – especially on stairs, in hallways, and on the route to the bathroom at night.
• Bathroom risks – slippery surfaces, low toilets, baths with no grab rails.
• Footwear – worn slippers, ill-fitting shoes, walking around in socks.
• Medication side effects – dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure.
• Vision changes – out-of-date glasses, undiagnosed cataracts.
• Muscle weakness and balance problems – often the result of doing less as we get older.
• Dehydration and skipping meals – leading to dizziness and unsteadiness.

A room-by-room checklist for a safer home

If you can do only one thing this month, walk around your loved one’s home with fresh eyes and check the following:

Hallway and stairs:

• A well-lit hallway, including at night
• A sturdy handrail on both sides of the stairs where possible
• Non-slip strips or a clear, uncluttered stair carpet
• No shoes, bags or piles of post at the bottom of the stairs

Living room:

• Rugs either removed or firmly taped down
• Cables tucked out of walkways
• A firm, high-enough chair that’s easy to get out of
• Clear pathways to the kitchen and hallway

Kitchen:

• Frequently-used items stored at waist height, not up high or down low
• A stable, non-slip mat by the sink
• No stools or wobbly chairs being used as step-ups

Bathroom:

• Grab rails by the bath, shower and toilet
• A non-slip mat in the bath or shower
• A raised toilet seat if standing is becoming harder
• Good lighting, including a night-light for overnight trips

Bedroom:

• A light within easy reach of the bed
• A clear route to the bathroom
• The bed at a height where feet touch the floor when seated
• No trip hazards in the way of a nighttime bathroom trip

Outside:

• A clear, level path to the front and back doors
• Handrails on external steps
• Grit or non-slip surface treatment in winter

Signs a loved one is at higher risk of falling

A few subtle signs often show up well before a first serious fall. Look out for:

• Holding onto furniture to move around the house
• Reaching for the door frame or wall when standing up
• Slowing down noticeably on stairs, or taking one step at a time
• Little “wobbles” when turning around
• Complaints of dizziness, especially when standing
• New reluctance to go out for a walk or to the shops
• Bruises they can’t quite remember getting

How home care helps prevent falls

Good home care is one of the most effective fall-prevention tools there is. A well-trained Care Professional visiting regularly can:

• Spot hazards you’ve stopped noticing – a fresh pair of eyes catches things families walk past every day.
• Support safe movement – gentle help getting up from a chair, in and out of the bath, or up the stairs.
• Encourage exercise – even a short daily walk or chair-based exercises noticeably improve balance and leg strength.
• Manage medication properly – making sure doses land on time and that any dizziness is flagged to the GP.
• Keep hydration and nutrition on track – proper meals and drinks throughout the day.
• Support confidence – walking to the shops or out for a coffee at a Rogerstone café with a familiar companion rebuilds courage after a scare.
• Coordinate with other services – we work alongside GPs, community physiotherapists, occupational therapists and the Falls Prevention team.

Trained locally, matched thoughtfully

Every Care Professional we send has been through our full training programme at our Newport-based office, with additional specialist training via the Morello Clinic covering Parkinson’s, stroke recovery and dementia – all conditions that significantly increase fall risk. Our Registered Care Manager reviews every care plan regularly, adjusting support as your loved one’s needs change.

Why families across Gwent trust Home Instead with fall prevention

• 9.9/10 on homecare.co.uk – the highest local rating.
• Top 20 Wales – for five consecutive years.
• Locally led since 2017 – by Karen and her daughter Laura.
• Minimum one-hour visits – so there’s time to do things properly.
• Consistent Care Professionals – the same familiar faces every visit.
• Specialist training – in the conditions most linked to falls.

Talk to us before the next fall happens

If you’re worried about a loved one falling – or if they’ve already had a scare and confidence is slipping – please do get in touch. A conversation with our friendly team costs nothing, and there’s no pressure and no obligation – just an honest chat about what could help.

Call our friendly Newport team today on 01633 740028 or visit our website to arrange a free, no-obligation home visit. We’ll listen, walk around the home together, and help you work out a plan to keep your loved one safer and more confident at home.