If you or someone you love is over 65, here’s a number worth knowing: according to the CDC, more than 1 in 4 older adults falls each year. Here’s another fact: Dickinson County has the oldest average population of any county in Iowa. That means fall prevention isn’t a niche topic here; it’s a community priority. Lakes Regional Healthcare’s 2025 Community Health Assessment identified “Aging Well” as one of the county’s top health needs, and falls prevention sits right at the center of that. Most people assume falling is just something that happens with age. It isn’t. Falling is common, but it isn’t normal.
It’s also worth being direct about why fall prevention matters so much for older adults. Hip fractures are one of the most serious injuries that can result from a fall. Each year, nearly 319,000 older adults are hospitalized for a hip fracture, and the CDC reports that most hip fracture deaths and hospitalizations are caused by falls.
Research on recovery after a hip fracture shows the stakes clearly: studies consistently find that roughly 1 in 5 to 1 in 3 older adults who suffer a hip fracture die within a year of the injury, and as many as half face lasting difficulty with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, or walking on their own afterward. A hip fracture doesn’t just mean a broken bone. For many older adults, it’s one of the biggest threats to their long-term health and independence.
We’re sharing this not to alarm you, but because it’s exactly why prevention deserves real attention, well before a fall ever happens. At Lakes Regional Healthcare, we see the effects of falls firsthand, from a bruised hip to a broken wrist to something more serious. The good news is that most falls can be prevented once you know what to watch for. Plus, fall prevention doesn’t require a major life change. Small, specific steps make a real difference.
Falls are rarely caused by just one thing. Usually, it’s a combination of factors working together. The CDC has identified several of the most common ones:
- Lower body weakness or balance problems
- Vision changes that make it harder to judge steps, curbs, or uneven ground
- Certain medications, or combinations of medications, that cause dizziness or drowsiness
- Home hazards like loose rugs, poor lighting, or clutter in walkways
- Foot pain or unsafe footwear
Here’s the part worth noting: many of these can be changed. You can’t change your age, but you can change your lighting, your footwear, and, with your doctor’s help, your medications.
- Ask your primary care provider at Lakes Regional Family Medicine for a fall risk assessment. This is a normal, judgment-free part of care for older adults. It’s not a sign that something is wrong. “You don’t need to have already fallen to bring this up. If you’ve felt unsteady, avoided an activity because you were worried about falling, or had a “close call,” that’s exactly the right time to talk to your primary care provider, says Lakes Regional Family Medicine physician Steven Vander Leest, DO. “A fall risk assessment is quick, and it gives you a clear, personalized plan, not just general advice.”
- Have your vision checked yearly. Even small changes in eyesight can affect balance and depth perception.
- Review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take more than one prescription.
- Walk through your home with fresh eyes. Secure loose rugs, add nightlights along hallways and in bathrooms, and keep walkways clear.
- Stay active. Strength and balance exercises, even simple ones like standing on one foot while holding a counter, help maintain the muscle and coordination that prevent falls.
- Wear supportive, well-fitting shoes, even at home. Slippers and socks on hard floors are a common, avoidable risk.
Dr. Vander Leest adds that falling once also roughly doubles the chance of falling again, which is exactly why catching risk factors early matters so much.
Fall prevention starts with a conversation. If you’re 65 or older, or you’re the adult child of someone who is, talk to your Lakes Regional Healthcare Family Medicine provider about a fall risk assessment. It’s a simple first step that protects independence for years to come.
