Fall Prevention Tips For Seniors From Adrc

RACINE, WI — For elders living at home, fall prevention is an important health topic, and the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has resources to help.

Wisconsin is the leader in deadly falls in the home, putting older residents at a higher risk. Racine County’s local resources offer education, programs, assessments, and care surrounding fall-related injuries. 

When a fall call comes in, emergency services will provide information about fall prevention and aftercare once the patient has been cared for. They can provide a referral to ADRC, which can help elders create safe habits and environments to prevent future accidents and injuries. 

Where Falls Happen

According to the National Institute of Health, the bedroom and bathroom are the two most common places for elders to fall, followed by stairways. These accidents occur due to slippery areas on the floor, improper lighting, lack of railings, or poor depth perception. 

Falling inside the home is more common than falling outside. Feet can catch on rugs, clutter can create obstacles, and improper use of adaptive equipment, like canes that are too short or walkers that are unstable, can cause the user to lose balance and fall.

What Prevents Falls

Falling is different for everyone, as different health conditions can affect a person’s balance, vision, strength, and fine motor skills. 

Adaptive equipment, like walkers, canes, grab bars, quality lighting, and the removal of clutter or obstacles, can prevent falls and injuries when used properly. 

Strength and resistance training improve the quality of life for the person who is at risk of falling and prevent further injury if accidents occur.

ADRC provides fall-prevention classes, home assessments, and resources for occupational and physical therapy. 

Undergoing a full medication and supplement review with a health provider can prevent side effects like dizziness, loss of eyesight, lack of coordination, and weakness of limbs. 

Who Pays When a Fall Happens

“There’s a lot of money that goes into fall prevention in the United States,” said Katy Hansen, ADRC’s assistant manager.

Medicare and Medicaid assist in medical coverage, though Medicaid is dependent on qualification, and private health insurance, if the patient is still working, or a secondary insurance, can cover additional expenses.

Local programs like ADRC provide additional resources and programs that can help reduce costs. 

Some individuals choose to privately pay for resources, like purchasing a walker from Walmart, which makes for a more accessible option. 

“We want to make EMS and residents aware that ADRC is there and has a lot of resources and skilled people who can talk with them,” said Renee Foy, the Public Health Strategist with Racine County Public Health Division.

EMS (Emergency Medical Services) can provide a referral to ADRC, which opens the door to discussing benefits and resources. They also accept walk-ins, and family members can refer an elderly person to their program. 

How to Access OT/PT and Home Checks

Access to occupational and physical therapy can be obtained through a provider to reduce costs. This will depend on whether it is inpatient or outpatient and matches the needs of the patient. Start with a primary or specialist to find out what the best treatment option is. A referral is needed for insurance coverage and for billing. 

The best way that ADRC can help begin the process is through a home visit. This is where a social worker goes through every room in the home and performs a fall risk assessment. Interested parties will receive a referral in 24 hours and will only be contacted a few times. 

These fall risk resources are provided for those living in their own homes, as assisted living facilities have their own procedures. 

Aging Well

ADRC will be one of the vendors featured at Racine County Eye’s senior wellness expo, Aging Well, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 21 at Fountain Banquet. Hall and again from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 28 at Grace Church in Burlington.

This event brings together vendors and providers for healthcare, assisted living, estate planning, home management, and more. 

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Fall prevention tips for seniors from ADRC was first posted on April 22, 2026 at 7:12 am.
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