Falls Prevention Awareness Week 2026 takes place September 21–25 and is focused on raising awareness that falls are preventable and helping older adults remain falls free and independent.
For many families, fall concerns begin quietly.
A loved one starts holding onto furniture while walking through the house. Bathing feels harder than it used to. Stairs become something they avoid. They move more slowly when getting out of bed, skip meals because standing in the kitchen feels tiring, or seem less confident walking to the door, bathroom, or car.
These moments may seem small, but they can be signs that daily routines are becoming more difficult.
The CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 and older, and more than 14 million older adults, or about 1 in 4, report falling each year. The good news is that many fall risks can be identified, discussed, and addressed with the right support.
For families, fall prevention does not have to start with a complicated plan. It can start with paying attention to everyday routines at home.
Quick Answer: What Fall Risks Should Families Watch for at Home?
Families should watch for changes in balance, strength, mobility, confidence, memory, medication routines, and daily activities. Common fall risks at home may include cluttered walkways, poor lighting, slippery bathrooms, loose rugs, difficulty getting in and out of bed or chairs, rushing to the bathroom, fatigue, missed meals, medication changes, and fear of falling.
Personal care services do not guarantee fall prevention, but they may help older adults stay more supported during daily routines. In Indiana and Pennsylvania, Team Select Home Care’s personal care services may include help with personal hygiene, medication reminders, companionship, transitional assistance, meal preparation, household tasks, transportation to non-emergency medical appointments, and other support based on the program, location, eligibility, and available services.
Why Fall Risks at Home Matter
A fall can affect more than a person’s physical health. It can also affect confidence, independence, and the way someone moves through daily life.
After a fall, some older adults become afraid to walk around the house, take a shower, prepare meals, or leave home for appointments. Even when no major injury occurs, fear of falling can lead someone to move less, sit more, or avoid activities they once enjoyed.
That is why it is important for families to notice changes early.
Fall risks often show up during normal routines. A loved one may need more time standing up from a chair. They may seem unsteady after taking medication. They may avoid the bathroom because they are worried about slipping. They may have trouble keeping up with laundry, dishes, or clutter, which can make walkways harder to navigate.
Recognizing these changes does not mean taking away independence. It means starting a conversation about what support may help your loved one continue living at home more confidently.
Common Fall Risks Families May Notice
Some fall risks are easy to see, like a loose rug, dark hallway, or cluttered floor. Others are more subtle.
A loved one may become tired more quickly, feel dizzy when standing, forget to use a cane or walker, or rush when trying to get to the bathroom. Medication changes can also affect balance, alertness, or energy. If you notice dizziness, repeated falls, or sudden changes in strength, balance, or awareness, it is important to speak with a health care provider.
The CDC encourages older adults to talk with their doctor about the best methods of fall prevention and points to simple actions that may help reduce fall risk.
At home, families may want to pay attention to:
- Bathroom routines that feel unsafe or difficult
- Trouble getting in and out of bed, chairs, or vehicles
- Poor lighting in hallways, bedrooms, or stairways
- Clutter, cords, shoes, or rugs in walking paths
- Missed meals, dehydration, or fatigue
- Medication changes or missed medication routines
- Memory challenges that affect safety
- Fear of falling or avoiding normal activities
The goal is not to make families feel alarmed. The goal is to help families notice when everyday support may be needed.
How Personal Care Services May Help Support Safer Daily Routines
Personal care services can help older adults with the kinds of daily routines where fall concerns often appear.
Support with personal hygiene may help someone feel more confident during bathing, grooming, dressing, and other personal care tasks. Transitional assistance may help during movements such as getting up, sitting down, or moving from one part of the home to another. Meal preparation and feeding support may help loved ones maintain regular routines when standing in the kitchen becomes difficult.
Medication reminders may also help families feel more organized, especially when missed doses or changing routines create concern. Companionship can support emotional well-being and help older adults feel less alone during the day. Household tasks may help reduce clutter and keep daily spaces easier to move through.
Team Select’s Indiana Personal Attendant Care Services include personal hygiene and care, medication reminders, companionship, transitional assistance, meal preparation and feeding, household tasks, 24/7 on-call support and resources for a customized care plan, and transportation to non-emergency medical appointments.
These services do not replace medical fall-risk evaluation, physical therapy, or a provider’s guidance. Instead, they may help support the daily routines that allow older adults to feel more comfortable and supported at home.
Indiana Personal Attendant Care Services
In Indiana, Team Select Home Care provides Personal Attendant Care Services through an Indiana-licensed home care agency with professional oversight. The program is designed around personalized care and meaningful support for individuals and families at home.
For families concerned about fall risks, this type of support may be helpful when a loved one needs assistance with personal care, daily routines, meals, medication reminders, transportation, or companionship.
It can also provide families with a clearer support system. When daily tasks become harder, families do not have to wait until a fall happens to start asking questions.
Learn About Indiana Personal Attendant Care Services.
Pennsylvania Personal Care Services
In Pennsylvania, Team Select Home Care provides Personal Care Services at Home through a licensed home care agency with professional oversight. The Pennsylvania program includes personal hygiene and care, medication reminders, companionship, transitional assistance, meal preparation and feeding, household tasks, cognitive and memory support, transportation to non-emergency medical appointments, and 24/7 on-call support.
The Pennsylvania program also emphasizes the power of choice, allowing individuals and families to select a trusted family member, loved one, neighbor, or friend as a caregiver when program requirements are met. Team Select also notes support such as Medicaid waiver assistance, dedicated relationship management, weekly check-ins, and 24/7 on-call support.
For families supporting an aging loved one, especially someone with memory concerns or changing daily needs, local personal care support may help create more consistency and confidence at home.
Learn About Pennsylvania Personal Care Services
When Families Should Ask for Help
Families do not have to wait for a fall to ask for support.
It may be time to start a conversation if your loved one seems less steady, avoids certain rooms, has difficulty bathing or dressing, skips meals, forgets medications, struggles with household tasks, or feels nervous moving around the home.
It may also be time to ask questions if family caregivers are feeling overwhelmed. Supporting an aging loved one can involve appointments, medications, meals, mobility concerns, errands, and daily check-ins. Personal care services may help provide structure around those needs while supporting the loved one’s desire to remain at home.
A good first step is to speak with a health care provider about fall risk and then connect with local support to understand what personal care options may be available.
Fall Prevention Starts With Small Conversations
Falls Prevention Awareness Week is a reminder that safety, confidence, and independence often begin with small conversations.
Families can start by asking:
- What routines feel harder than they used to?
- Where does my loved one feel unsteady?
- Are medications, meals, or appointments becoming harder to manage?
- Is fear of falling changing how they live each day?
- Would personal care support help them feel more comfortable at home?
At Team Select Home Care, our local teams in Indiana and Pennsylvania can help families learn more about available personal care services, program requirements, caregiver options, and support that may help older adults continue daily routines at home.
If you are noticing changes in your loved one’s confidence, mobility, memory, or daily care needs, now may be the right time to ask what support is available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Prevention
