Your bladder health and bladder habits can affect your risk of falling. You may be at higher risk of falling if you:
- Rush to use the toilet.
- Get up at night to use the toilet, when it is dark, and you are tired.
- Go to the toilet often, day or night.
Talk to your healthcare provider
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have problems with your bladder. Examples include feeling a burning when you urinate (pee), going to the toilet more often than usual, or leaking urine.
Your healthcare provider can give you suggestions or decide if you need medicine. They may also recommend you go to a special clinic that helps with continence (bladder control).
Safety tips
These tips can help lower your risk of falling due to trips to the toilet:
- To help with needing to use the toilet at night, drink most of your fluids during the day. Try to drink less in the evening.
- Try to use the toilet regularly during the day, about every 2 to 3 hours.
- Drink less tea, coffee, diet soft drinks, or alcohol. They can make you need to urinate more often.
- Wear clothing that is easy to put on and take off. For example, an elastic waistband is easier to manage than a belt.
Drink enough fluids
It is important to drink enough water and other fluids each day. Don’t drink less fluid than you need because you want to use the toilet less. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid each day, or the amount recommended by your healthcare provider.
If you have heart failure, take water pills, or have other serious health problems, talk to your healthcare provider about how much fluid you need.
Learn more about risk factors for falling.
