Fear of falling

You may be nervous because you’ve had a fall before or feel unsteady on your feet. You might have noticed changes to your health or just feel like you are slowing down a little. The impact of a fall can lead to a loss in confidence. This can make you anxious and nervous to do certain activities. Which may lead to you feeling isolated. The good news is that making certain adjustments and getting the right help can make you feel more confident again.

Reduce your risk and rebuild confidence

  • Stay active – do regular exercises to improve strength and balance
  • Make your home safer – check you home for trip hazards and improve lighting
  • Wear well-fitting shoes – make sure your shoes fit well and have good grip
  • Review your medication – have your medications checked by your GP to see if any could affect your balance
  • Use walking aids – use a cane, walker or other mobility aids if you need more support getting around
  • Boost your confidence – talk to a health professional about your fear of falling and ways to address it

If you have had a fall and find yourself unhurt but are struggling to get up:

  • Roll over onto your hands and knees
  • Crawl to a stable piece of furniture, such as an armchair
  • Use the chair to help you get up
  • Turn and sit in the chair to rest for a while
An illustration showing four sequential stages of an older man using a chair to help himself stand up from the floor. In the first stage, he is on his knees leaning on the chair seat with both hands. In the second stage, he is crouching with both hands on the chair, beginning to push himself up. In the third stage, he is nearly upright, leaning forward with hands outstretched toward the chair. In the fourth stage, he is standing fully upright beside the chair.

When should you see a doctor? 

If you’ve had a fall or you’ve started to feel unsteady, you should contact your doctor so that they can check if there is a medical reason causing you to fall.

You can also contact the falls prevention service for an assessment. We can carry out a home safety check, signpost you to exercise groups or provide suitable equipment to support you.

Last updated on 14/05/2026