By Julie Jargon

Falls are the leading cause of injury for people 65 and older, but the factors that lead to falls can start much earlier.

The risk of falling in a given year doubles with every additional related issue -- including reduced muscle strength, balance problems, medication side effects and even forgetting to take that medicine -- according to a recent research paper.

That's why medical experts say that, beginning at age 65, everyone should have an initial screening to determine their personal risk level.

"Many people think only frail older people in nursing homes fall. But even the younger old -- those who are healthy and active -- can fall," says Emily Nabors, associate director of innovation at the National Council on Aging.

The nonprofit offers a short online questionnaire that provides a fall-risk score, but Nabors suggests people also get a more comprehensive assessment from a doctor or physical therapist.

Even if you're at low risk now, there are things you can do to stay that way. And they go beyond removing trip hazards in your home.

Based on interviews with experts in the field of aging tech, here are seven categories of technology that can help you understand and reduce your risk of falling:

Fitness trackers

Exercise is one of the most important ways to prevent falls because building core and lower-body strength can help keep you upright. Whether you wear an Apple Watch, a Fitbit or some other type of tracker, seeing your progress can motivate you to move more.

What to check: My Apple Watch records a lot of data, which can be hard to understand. In addition to step count, I track my cardio fitness levels, a good proxy for overall health.

Vital-sign monitors

Low blood pressure, fluctuations in blood pressure or low blood oxygen levels can increase the risk of falling because they can cause dizziness. Many smartwatches can measure blood-oxygen levels, including some older Apple Watch models. (Apple Watches sold in the U.S. after January 2024 can't, due to a patent dispute.) Standard blood pressure cuffs and pulse oximeters -- little devices that fit over your fingertip -- are available online and in drugstores.

What to check: Blood pressure and blood oxygen levels fluctuate throughout the day and over time. If you're not using a wearable device that records this data, jot down your readings daily to see if there's any deviation.

Gait sensors

Phones and wearable devices can provide granular data about your fall risk over time. Apple's walking-steadiness feature, available on iPhones running iOS 15 or newer, rate your steadiness as OK, low or very low. (You have to carry or wear your phone near your waist to get an accurate reading.) There are also smart insoles that people can place inside their shoes to track gait and balance.

What to check: You should look at the iPhone's Health app to see how your walking steadiness score changes over a month, six months or a year. The app also offers short videos on how to build strength and improve balance.

Proper lighting

Many falls occur in the middle of the night, when people get up to go to the bathroom and don't have good lighting, says Amy Goyer, a family and caregiving expert with the AARP.

What to look for: Goyer recommends people install motion-activated lights throughout their house and at entry points outside, as well as plug-in emergency nightlights that turn on automatically if the power shuts off. Those can even be unplugged and used as flashlights.

Doorbell cameras

Another big contributor to falls is rushing to answer the door, says Siobhan McMahon, an associate professor of nursing at the University of Minnesota. She and other experts recommend doorbell cameras like the Ring so you can see who's at the door.

Since most also have built-in intercoms, you can, for example, tell a delivery person that you might take a little while to get to the door to sign for a package. If it's a salesperson you'd rather avoid, you can stay put and pretend you're not home.

What to look for: The AARP offers a guide on what to know before buying a doorbell camera.

Water-leak sensors

Even before enough water pools to be noticed, it can make a floor slippery. Leak sensors can alert you, on an app, if humidity or water is detected near pipes and appliances. (These sensors can also help save you money on your homeowners insurance.)

What to look for: The AARP suggests these leak detectors.

Smart pill dispensers

People 65 and older take an average of four prescription medications to treat chronic conditions. When medications aren't taken regularly or at the right time, they can cause grogginess or dizziness, which can lead to falls. Smart pill dispensers that notify people when it's time to take their medicine can help ensure people get the right dose at the right time.

What to look for: The AARP describes three brands of pill dispensers.

Experts also recommend having a medical-alert system in place in case you do fall. The National Council on Aging tested more than 50 options and recommends five. Apple Watch wearers can also enable Fall Detection in their watch settings. That will alert emergency services and notify emergency contacts if the watch detects a hard-enough fall.

Write to Julie Jargon at Julie.Jargon@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 02, 2025 05:30 ET (09:30 GMT)

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