Staying at home, at your own pace, in familiar surroundings: that is what most older people and their families want. Fall prevention is one of the most practical ways to make it possible.
The good news is that many falls can be avoided with simple changes, a well-arranged home and, where useful, the right equipment.
What the Luxembourg figures show
Luxembourg's national injury register RETRACE (Direction de la santé, data 2013–2020) gives clear benchmarks for people aged 70 and over:
falls account for 83.1% of injuries in this age group, rising to 90.5% from age 85;
50.7% of injuries happen at home;
personal hygiene (washing, showering, using the toilet) is the activity most often recorded at the time of injury (15.8%), ahead of sleeping or getting up at night (8.9%).
So prevention matters most at home, especially in the bathroom, on the stairs and in the bedroom.
The room-by-room checklist
Entrance and outdoors
Light the path and entrance steps, ideally with a motion sensor.
Make sure every outdoor step has a sturdy handrail.
Deal with slippery surfaces (moss, leaves, frost) from autumn onwards.
Keep a seat near the door for putting on and taking off shoes.
Stairs
Fit handrails on both sides of the staircase.
Have a light switch at the top and bottom, or automatic lighting.
Never leave objects on the steps, even "just for a moment".
Mark step edges if contrast is poor.
If climbing the stairs is becoming tiring, or you avoid going upstairs, it is a good time to consider a stairlift.
Bathroom and toilet
Use a non-slip mat in the shower and in front of the bath or basin.
Fit grab bars by the toilet and in the shower.
Choose a walk-in shower with a shower seat.
A raised toilet seat or a toilet lift makes sitting down and standing up easier.
Bedroom
Keep a bedside lamp within reach without getting up.
Add night lights along the route from bed to toilet.
Check the bed height lets you place both feet flat on the floor.
Keep a phone within reach.
Living room and kitchen
Remove or secure rugs and cables crossing walkways.
Store everyday items between hip and shoulder height.
Avoid using chairs or step stools to reach high cupboards.
Everyday habits that help
The World Health Organization recommends combining several approaches: exercise, a safer home and keeping an eye on health.
Keep moving. Balance, walking and strength exercises, and tai chi, are among the recommended measures. Your doctor or a physiotherapist can suggest a suitable programme.
Would you like to know the price for your staircase?
Review your medicines. Some treatments can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review all your medicines together.
Check your eyesight and wear good shoes. An eye check and closed, stable, non-slip shoes reduce missteps.
Get up slowly. Sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before standing, especially at night.
When the right equipment makes the difference
Sometimes adapting the home is no longer enough: the stairs, the toilet or going out take more and more effort. The right equipment then helps you keep your routines and your independence.
Stairlift: travel up and down seated and safely, on straight or curved stairs, indoors or outdoors.
Toilet lift (Aerolet): gently helps you sit down and stand up.
Platform lift: overcomes a few steps or a full level, including in a wheelchair.
Electric rollator: assists uphill and brakes downhill.
Wheelchair ramp: removes a step or threshold.
What funding is available?
Depending on your situation, Luxembourg's dependency insurance (Assurance dépendance) may contribute to the cost of technical aids and home adaptations. Cover depends on an individual assessment and the decision of the AEC, the authority that assesses dependency insurance claims. Our R20 form guide explains the steps.
A home visit to take stock
Every home is different. We come to you, anywhere in Luxembourg, to look at your stairs, your bathroom and your routines, and recommend the simplest solution that fits. The visit and quote are free.
Would you like to know the price for your staircase?
Frequently asked questions
Where do most falls happen?
In Luxembourg, half of injuries among people aged 70+ happen at home. Personal hygiene is the activity most often recorded, so the bathroom and toilet are priorities, along with the stairs and the night-time route to the toilet.
Should I wait for a first fall before adapting my home?
No. It is easier to adapt your home calmly while everything is fine than in a rush after a fall.
Is a stairlift covered in Luxembourg?
It may be, depending on your situation. Cover by dependency insurance depends on an individual assessment and the AEC's decision. MPG can help you prepare the application.
Which exercises help prevent falls?
The WHO recommends balance, walking and strength exercises, as well as tai chi. Talk to your doctor or a physiotherapist before you start.
Let's talk about your home
Would you like advice on your stairs or bathroom? Call MPG on +352 33 33 73 or book a free home visit.
Sources: Direction de la santé, RETRACE factsheet 70+ (2025, data 2013–2020); WHO fact sheet "Falls" (2021). This article gives general advice and does not replace your doctor's opinion.
Would you like to know the price for your staircase?
