Common mistakes to avoid

Reduce fall risks through medication review, vision and hearing care, strength and balance, safer homes, appropriate equipment, and emergency planning. These warning signs are intended to slow down a decision long enough to verify the facts.

Mistakes and warning signs

  • Treating falls as unavoidable because of age.
  • Buying equipment without proper fit or installation.
  • Using furniture instead of stable grab bars or handrails.
  • Ignoring dizziness, medication changes, or fainting.
  • Removing activity entirely instead of seeking safe strength and balance guidance.
  • Assuming a fall without visible injury needs no follow-up.

Stop and verify when

  • Someone demands immediate payment, secrecy, remote computer access, or personal credentials.
  • A deadline, coverage rule, eligibility amount, or legal requirement is stated without an official source and date.
  • A provider, contractor, plan, facility, or product cannot be independently verified.
  • The total cost, cancellation terms, exclusions, or appeal rights are unclear.
  • A recommendation ignores the person’s state, disability, medical condition, caregiver situation, or transportation.
  • A website copies an agency logo but uses an unfamiliar domain.

A safer response

1. Pause the transaction or decision when possible.

2. Save the notice, advertisement, contract, message, or bill.

3. Contact the responsible agency or company through an independently verified channel.

4. Ask a trusted person or qualified professional to review the decision.

5. Report suspected fraud, abuse, unsafe care, or discrimination to the appropriate authority.

Sources for verification

Continue reading

Within this subject: Updates and Official Changes, Decision Checklist, Official Help and Trusted Starting Points, State-by-State Differences.

Related subjects: Assistive Technology, Medical Equipment, and Home Modifications, Chronic Conditions, Prevention, and Healthy Aging, Emergency Preparedness and Accessible Evacuation.

Last reviewed

This warning-sign guide was reviewed on 2026-07-30.