My grandmother falls frequently: how many falls are normal and what you can do

07 de June de 2026 · Por Gabino C.

There are phrases that a daughter or son repeats so often that they almost sound like a routine. "My grandma falls a lot." But behind that phrase lies fear, sleepless nights, and calls made with a heavy heart.

How many falls are too many?

Professionals consider an elderly person to have a falling problem when they suffer two or more falls within twelve months, or when a single fall causes injury, significant fear, or a clear change in their usual mobility. According to INE data, 30% of people over 65 fall at least once a year, and 10% do so twice or more – if your grandmother is in that second group, you're not exaggerating, it's a real sign.

✓ Probably occasional

One fall in a year
Clear and exceptional situation (wet floor, tripping over something unusual)
No injury or change in behavior afterwards

⚠ Deserves attention

Two or more falls in 12 months
Falls doing something routine that wasn't a problem before
Has started to avoid moving due to fear

Warning signs not to ignore

Sign	Why it matters
Always falls at the same times of day	There may be an identifiable pattern (medication, fatigue, stress)
Falls in places that were not a problem before	Indicates that something has changed in their balance, not in the house
Falls are becoming more frequent	The trend matters more than an isolated incident
Has started to avoid moving due to fear	Fear is already affecting their daily life, not just their body

Why it happens: the most common causes

Cause	Why it can be corrected
Medication	Sedatives, anxiolytics, or antihypertensives can cause dizziness — the doctor can adjust the dose or change the medication
Vision problems	Cataracts can be operated on; poorly prescribed glasses are easily corrected
Vitamin D deficiency	Detected with a blood test and corrected with supplements
Orthostatic hypotension	Dizziness when getting up quickly — managed by getting up slowly and reviewing medication
Inadequate footwear	Immediate and free risk reduction
Environment with uncorrected risks	Rugs, poor lighting — can be fixed in a weekend

Don't just assume "it's old age" — most of these causes are treatable, and treating them actually reduces falls, not just their consequences.

A simple record that helps the doctor immensely

Before the next appointment, jot down each fall in a note on your phone or a piece of paper on the fridge. Nothing complicated is needed:

✔ Approximate date and time
✔ Where it happened (bathroom, hallway, stairs…)
✔ What they were doing just before
✔ If they felt dizzy or simply tripped

With three or four such records, the doctor can see patterns that a general description ("they fall a lot") cannot show.

What you can do now

1. Talk to their doctor and bring the fall log if you've started keeping one. Repeated falls almost always have a cause that can be investigated and, often, corrected.
2. Review the environment. Remove loose rugs, improve lighting, install grab bars, and clear common pathways in the house.
3. Protect the most vulnerable area now. While the causes are being investigated, the head remains the most important thing to protect.
4. Don't shoulder the burden alone. Caring for a grandmother who falls is exhausting. If you can, seek support—family, professionals, or simply someone to talk to.

While the underlying causes are being investigated—which can take weeks to fully resolve—the SafeSeniors™ Impact-Protection Helmet reduces what's at stake in every fall that occurs in the meantime. It's discreet, doesn't cause heat, and can be worn with glasses and hearing aids.

🛡️ See the Impact-Protection Helmet

Frequently asked questions

Are two falls a year already a cause for concern? Yes, according to typical clinical criteria (two or more in 12 months), it warrants a medical consultation – it's not alarmist, it's the threshold professionals themselves use.

Is there always a medical cause behind it? Not always, but in many cases, there is something treatable (medication, vision, vitamin D) that no one had thoroughly checked. It's worth ruling it out before assuming "it's old age."

What do I do if they resist going to the doctor for this? Frame it as a general check-up, not as "we're going because you fall a lot" – it reduces the feeling of being singled out.