Five minutes to understand · Three actions to remember
Familiar home. New challenges. A safer next step.
Getting up from your favorite chair. Walking to the bathroom. Reaching for a shirt. After a stroke, familiar tasks can ask more of you. Understanding what has changed gives you a place to begin.
Stroke can affect strength, balance, sensation, vision, and attention. Some changes are easy to see; others are less obvious. Your fall-prevention plan should fit your abilities, routines, and goals. [1] [3]
Your Home. Your Safety. Your Choices.
Five practical fall-prevention strategies
01. Practice the movements you use every day.
Ask your physical or occupational therapist to practice getting into bed, standing from a chair, and using the toilet with you—and with anyone helping you. Learn the assistance level and technique that fit your needs. Ask which balance and strength activities are safe to practice at home. [1]
Exercise may reduce how often people fall after stroke, but the research remains uncertain. Better balance is valuable; it does not guarantee that falls will stop. [2]
02. Notice what your feet—and your equipment—are doing.
If your toes catch the floor, your knee feels unreliable, or your walking aid is difficult to manage, ask for a review. Use a prescribed cane, walker, or brace as taught, including for short trips. Wear supportive, slip-resistant footwear. Equipment and supervision should match your current abilities. [1] [3]
03. Give vision and attention a second look.
Bumping into objects on one side or overlooking part of a doorway may reflect changes in vision or awareness of space. These are not always the same problem. Ask for assessment rather than assuming new glasses will solve it. An occupational therapist or vision rehabilitation specialist can teach scanning strategies and adapt lighting, contrast, and daily tasks to your needs. [4]
04. Make one frequently used route easier.
Start with the trip from bed to bathroom. Clear clutter and cords, improve lighting, and review the places where you turn or sit. Before buying equipment or changing the bathroom, ask about a home assessment. The best setup considers your routines, preferences, and the needs of everyone sharing the space. [3] [5]
05. Plan for energy, and speak up about changes.
Post-stroke fatigue can affect participation in daily life. Plan important tasks for times when you have more energy, balance activity with rest, and tell others when you need a break. Ask your team to review persistent fatigue. [6]
Discuss dizziness and medication concerns with your healthcare team; do not change medicines on your own. Keep a brief record of falls, near-falls, and the task you were doing. [1] [3]
What Does This Mean for Me?
Choose one activity you want to keep doing: showering, making lunch, or moving around your home. What part feels different? Bring that example to your rehabilitation team so the plan starts with what matters to you.
Supporting someone else? Ask, “What would you like to do, and what help feels useful?” Give time to respond. Learn the agreed assistance technique with a therapist instead of improvising a lift or transfer. [1]
Three Things You Can Do Today
- Notice one challenge. Write down a task, toe catch, or near-fall to discuss with your team.
- Improve one route. Clear and brighten a path you use often.
- Check your plan. Confirm which equipment, exercises, and assistance are recommended for you.
Changes worth a conversation
Repeated toe catches, near-falls, difficulty with transfers, bumping into objects, or increasing fear of movement deserve attention. Contact your healthcare team for a review. After a fall, discuss both possible injury and what contributed to it. [1] [3] [4]
When to seek professional assistance
Ask about OT for daily routines and home setup, PT for walking and balance, and specialist vision assessment when needed. A plan should change as your recovery and needs change. [1] [3] [4] [5]
Recognize a possible new stroke: B.E. F.A.S.T.
Sudden new symptoms are an emergency—not something to wait out or treat as routine recovery. The CDC highlights:
- B — Balance: sudden loss of balance or coordination.
- E — Eyes: sudden trouble seeing.
- F — Face: new drooping on one side.
- A — Arms: sudden weakness or one arm drifting down.
- S — Speech: sudden trouble speaking or understanding.
- T — Time: call 911 immediately.
Sudden numbness or a severe unexplained headache can also be warning signs. Note when symptoms began. Call an ambulance rather than driving. Do not wait for every sign to appear—or for symptoms to pass. [7] [8]
One clear next step
Take a second look at one space.
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Your Home. Your Safety. Your Choices.
References & further reading
Start with the American Stroke Association’s practical guidance [3] and CDC warning signs [7]. Guidelines and research are included for further reading.
- Heart & Stroke. Canadian Stroke Best Practices: Falls Prevention and Management.
- Denissen S et al. (2019). Interventions for preventing falls in people after stroke. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD008728. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008728.pub3. Evidence search through 2018; read alongside current guidance.
- American Stroke Association. Restoring Your Balance.
- Heart & Stroke. Canadian Stroke Best Practices: Visual and Visual-Perceptual Impairment.
- American Stroke Association. Home Modifications.
- Heart & Stroke. Canadian Stroke Best Practices: Sleep Health and Post-Stroke Fatigue.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (May 19, 2026). Signs and Symptoms of Stroke.
- American Stroke Association. Stroke Symptoms and Warning Signs.
- Further reading: Richards LG et al. (2026). 2026 Guideline for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery. Stroke, 57(10), e514–e658. doi:10.1161/STR.0000000000000536.
Updated November 2, 2026. General education only; follow the individualized instructions from your healthcare team.