Fall Prevention Week 2026 September 28 to October 4
Tripping once or briefly losing your balance may seem like something we hardly give a second thought to. Yet a fall later in life can have serious consequences. In the Netherlands, a person aged 65 or over visits the emergency department following a fall every four minutes. In 2024, this amounted to an estimated 119.000 people.
A fall is therefore not simply an unfortunate incident, but also something we can take preventive action to reduce.
Why does the risk of falling increase with age?
As we get older, muscle strength, balance and reaction speed may gradually decline. Changes in vision, medication use or difficulties with walking can also increase the risk of falling.
Everyday situations can play a role as well. Think, for example, of a loose rug, a step or threshold, a slippery surface or a staircase where someone loses their balance. Interestingly, many falls actually occur in and around the home.
The risk also increases as people get older. According to VeiligheidNL, approximately one in three people aged 65 and over falls each year. Among people aged 75 and over, this is approximately half, and among those aged 85 and over, around 60 percent.
The consequences of a fall
A fall can have unpleasant consequences. These may include a wrist or hip fracture, but also head injuries. In 2024, approximately 90,700 people aged 65 and over sustained serious injuries following a fall. Some of them had to be admitted to hospital or a nursing home after receiving treatment in the emergency department.
However, the consequences are not only physical. After a fall, people may become afraid of falling again. As a result, they may become less physically active and avoid activities they used to do regularly. This can lead to a further decline in muscle strength and fitness, which in turn increases the risk of another fall.
Can a fall be prevented?
Fortunately, yes. Some factors that contribute to the risk of falling can be influenced. Strong muscles and good balance are important components of fall prevention. Targeted exercises can help improve strength, stability and confidence when moving.
For this reason, VeiligheidNL recommends identifying older people who have an increased risk of falling and offering them appropriate fall-prevention exercise programes.
Practical factors also deserve attention. Wearing appropriate footwear, ensuring sufficient lighting at home and removing obstacles can help make the environment safer. It is also advisable to pay attention to vision and, where appropriate, medication use.
An important principle is: don’t wait until you have fallen before starting fall prevention. Working on muscle strength and balance can help you remain independent and active for longer.
Working together towards safe and independent movement
A physiotherapist can help identify which factors may be increasing your risk of falling. You can then work together on areas such as muscle strength, balance, walking ability and confidence in movement.
A fall does not have to be seen as something that inevitably comes with getting older. By paying attention to movement and balance at an early stage, you can take steps yourself to reduce your risk of falling.