When you're in the hospital recovering from an illness or procedure, the last thing you need is an unexpected fall. Yet falls remain one of the most common complications during hospital stays. The good news? Healthcare professionals have identified proven strategies that dramatically reduce your risk: and they want you to know them before you or your loved ones need them.
Whether you're preparing for an upcoming hospital stay, visiting a family member, or simply want to be informed, these nurse-backed safety tips can make all the difference in your recovery journey.
1. Understand Your Personal Fall Risk Factors
Your fall risk isn't the same as everyone else's. From the moment you're admitted, your healthcare team conducts assessments to identify factors that might increase your likelihood of falling. These can include your age, current medications, mobility limitations, and underlying medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
Don't wait for staff to bring it up: ask questions during your admission. "What's my fall risk level?" and "What specific factors put me at higher risk?" are perfectly valid questions. Understanding your personal risk empowers you to take appropriate precautions throughout your stay.
If you've fallen before, share that history with your nurse. Past falls are one of the strongest predictors of future falls, and your team needs this information to keep you safe.
2. Always Ask for Assistance When You Need It
This might be the single most important tip healthcare professionals emphasize: never try to be a hero. If you feel weak, dizzy, lightheaded, or unsteady: even for a moment: use your call button before attempting to move.
Many patients worry about "bothering" the nurses, but here's the truth: responding to your call button takes far less time than treating injuries from a fall. Your healthcare team would much rather help you to the bathroom ten times than treat one fall-related injury.
Keep your call button within arm's reach at all times, especially at night when disorientation is more common. If you wake up needing to use the restroom, press that button and wait for assistance rather than rushing.
3. Use Your Mobility Aids Every Single Time
If your healthcare provider has prescribed a walker, cane, or wheelchair, it's not a suggestion: it's a critical safety tool. Consistency is key. Using your assistive device "most of the time" isn't enough when it comes to fall prevention.
Before using any mobility aid, ensure it's properly adjusted for your height. Your walker should allow your arms to bend slightly at the elbows, and your cane should reach the crease of your wrist when you're standing upright with your arms at your sides.
Check that rubber tips are in good condition and that all mechanisms lock securely. If something seems off with your device, notify your nurse immediately. A malfunctioning mobility aid is worse than no aid at all.
4. Wear Appropriate, Non-Skid Footwear
Hospital floors can be surprisingly slippery, and bare feet or socks without grips create a serious hazard. Most healthcare facilities provide non-slip socks with rubber grips on the bottom: use them.
If you prefer slippers, choose ones with rubber soles that fit snugly. Avoid flip-flops, loose slippers that slide off easily, or shoes with smooth leather soles. Your footwear should stay on your feet without shuffling and provide traction on various surfaces.
Don't walk around in just regular socks, no matter how careful you think you'll be. The few seconds it takes to put on proper footwear could prevent a serious injury.
5. Stay Alert to Medication Side Effects
Many medications can affect your balance, blood pressure, or alertness: sometimes in ways you don't immediately notice. Pain medications, sleep aids, blood pressure drugs, and even some antibiotics can cause dizziness or drowsiness that increases fall risk.
Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist which of your medications might affect your stability. Pay particular attention during the first few doses of any new medication, as this is when side effects are most likely to appear.
If you notice feeling unusually dizzy, drowsy, or "off" after taking medication, let your nurse know right away. Sometimes dosage adjustments or timing changes can minimize these effects without compromising your treatment.
6. Practice Bathroom Safety
Over one-third of hospital falls happen during toileting or in the bathroom. This makes sense: bathrooms involve multiple risk factors including slippery surfaces, quick movements, and urgency.
Take your time in the bathroom. Never rush, even if you feel an urgent need. Use grab bars installed near the toilet and in the shower, and if your room has a raised toilet seat, take advantage of it.
Many patients experience orthostatic hypotension: a drop in blood pressure when standing: which is particularly common when getting up from the toilet. Rise slowly, pause for a moment, and ensure you're stable before walking.
If you're using a bedside commode, make sure it's locked in position before sitting. And remember: this is another situation where asking for assistance is always the safer choice.
7. Engage in Your Physical Therapy and Exercise Plan
If your healthcare team has recommended physical therapy or specific exercises, these aren't optional extras: they're essential components of your fall prevention strategy. Regular physical activity strengthens muscles, improves balance, and enhances coordination.
Follow your prescribed mobility plan even on days when you'd rather rest. The exercises might seem simple, but they're specifically designed to address the physical factors that contribute to falls.
Ask your physical therapist to explain how each exercise helps prevent falls. Understanding the "why" behind your exercises often increases motivation and consistency.
8. Keep Your Environment Clear and Safe
Your hospital room should be set up for safety, not convenience. Keep frequently needed items: like your call button, water, glasses, and phone: within easy reach so you don't have to stretch or get up unnecessarily.
Remove clutter from pathways between your bed, chair, and bathroom. Electrical cords, bags, and other belongings should be stored against walls, never across walkways.
Make sure adequate lighting is available, especially at night. Many falls occur during nighttime bathroom trips when patients are disoriented and rooms are dark. Use night lights or keep a small light on rather than navigating in darkness.
If something in your room feels unsafe: a loose mat, a wobbly table, or insufficient lighting: speak up. Your healthcare team can address these issues quickly.
9. Report Changes in Your Condition Immediately
Your body gives you warning signs before many falls occur. Don't ignore symptoms like sudden dizziness, unusual weakness, blurred vision, or feeling unsteady. These changes could indicate medication reactions, infection, blood pressure changes, or other issues that require immediate attention.
Healthcare professionals can't prevent what they don't know about. Being proactive about reporting changes allows your team to intervene before a fall occurs.
Even "minor" symptoms deserve attention. That slight lightheadedness or momentary unsteadiness might seem insignificant to you, but it could signal a larger issue that your healthcare team needs to address.
10. Follow All Recommended Safety Protocols
Your hospital may implement specific fall prevention protocols based on your individual risk assessment. These might include bed alarms, chair alarms, bed rails, or frequent check-ins from staff.
While some safety measures might feel restrictive or inconvenient, they exist for your protection. Bed alarms, for instance, alert staff immediately if you're getting up without assistance, allowing them to reach you before a fall occurs.
Participate actively in any fall prevention programs your hospital offers. Many facilities provide patient education sessions, visual reminders, or written materials: take advantage of these resources.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Falls during hospital stays are preventable with awareness, communication, and commitment to safety practices. By implementing these nurse-recommended strategies, you're taking an active role in your own safety and recovery.
Remember that preventing falls isn't just about avoiding injury: it's about optimizing your recovery, maintaining your independence, and returning home safely. Every precaution you take is an investment in your health and wellbeing.
If you're preparing for a hospital stay or supporting a loved one through one, discuss these strategies with your healthcare team. Together, you can create a comprehensive fall prevention plan that keeps you safe while you focus on what matters most: getting better.
For more information about fall prevention strategies at home and in healthcare settings, visit the Fall Prevention Foundation to access additional resources and support.
✔ Reviewed by Steve Kerr, PT
Steve Kerr, PT is the founder of Fall Prevention Foundation and a licensed physical therapist with more than 30 years of experience helping older adults improve mobility, reduce fall risks, and remain safely independent at home.
Our educational articles are reviewed for accuracy and are intended to support older adults, caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals.
Learn more about Steve Kerr and the Fall Prevention Foundation →
