1 in 4 older adults report falling each year. Discover 3 simple steps to reduce your fall risk.

Man outside looking up

If you’ve fallen or feel more off balance than usual, you’re not alone. One in four older adults report falling each year.* But the good news is some falls can be prevented. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your chance of falling and to keep yourself safe if you do fall.

Step 1: Check in with your doctor

If you’ve had a recent fall or are increasingly feeling off-balance, it’s time to see your primary care physician (PCP) or physician of choice (POC). They can help uncover and treat the root causes of your fall or lack of balance. These could include worsening vision, hearing loss, new medical problems, or side effects from your medication.

Step 2: Give your balance a boost

Regular physical activity can improve strength and balance. It can also help you stay active and healthy. Some Blue Shield of California Medicare members have access to SilverSneakers®,† a fitness benefit designed to help improve your strength, flexibility, and balance. It includes a membership to thousands of gym and fitness locations. Check if you have access to SilversSneakers.

Step 3: Use a smartphone or monitoring system

It’s a good idea to always have your phone on you so that if you fall you can call for help. Depending on your Blue Shield plan, you may also be eligible for a medical alert monitoring system from LifeStation. With LifeStation, you can get help from emergency services 24/7 at the push of a button.

We’re here for you

Need help scheduling an appointment with your PCP or POC? Want to know if your plan covers
a LifeStation monitoring system? Call Customer Service and we can help you.

*Kakara R, Bergen G, Burns E, Stevens M. Nonfatal and Fatal Falls Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years—United States, 2020–2021. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2023;72:938–943. DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7235a1.

† Available to some Medicare Supplement plan and Medicare Advantage Plan members.

SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2025 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights
reserved.

LifeStation is an independent entity that administers services on behalf of Blue Shield of
California.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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*Copia digital gratuita sin obligación de inscripción.

† Los asesores de Blue Shield Medicare están disponibles del 1 de abril al 30 de septiembre, de lunes a viernes de 8:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m. y, del 1 de octubre al 31 de marzo, los siete días de la semana de 8:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m.

© California Physician’s Service DBA Blue Shield of California 1999-2025. Todos los derechos reservados.

California Physicians' Service, que opera con el nombre de Blue Shield of California, es un miembro independiente de Blue Shield Association.

Blue Shield of California 601 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94607.

Para los planes Medicare Advantage de Blue Shield: Blue Shield of California es un plan HMO, plan HMO de necesidades especiales para personas con elegibilidad doble, plan PPO y plan PDP que tiene un contrato con Medicare y un contrato con el Programa Medicaid del Estado de California. La inscripción en Blue Shield of California depende de la renovación del contrato.

 
 
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