# Keeping an older parent safe and well at home > Practical steps to help an older parent stay safe at home: falls, medicines, council assessments, alarms, winter warmth and where to get help. - URL: https://digitalhealthcoachuk.net/older-parent-at-home/ - Section: Looking after someone - Page type: guide - Last updated: 2026-10-26 - Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-26 - Written by: Sean Key, digital health programme manager (not a clinician) - Publisher: Digital Health Coach UK (https://digitalhealthcoachuk.net/), independent and not part of the NHS This page is general information, not personal medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent help that is not an emergency use NHS 111 online (https://111.nhs.uk/) or call 111. Start with three things: ask the GP practice about falls and a medicines review, ask the council for a free care needs assessment, and consider a personal alarm if your parent lives alone. If you help them a lot, ask for a carer's assessment for yourself too. All of these are free to ask for. ## 1. Reduce the risk of falls Falls are a big risk for older people, especially those living alone. The NHS suggests: - **Clear trip hazards:** loose rugs, trailing wires and clutter. - **Add grip and support:** a non-slip mat in the bath or shower, grab rails in the bathroom and rails on steps. - **Good footwear:** shoes or slippers that fit well and have a good grip. - **Strength and balance exercise:** at least twice a week, and stay active every day. - **Eyes and ears:** regular eye tests and hearing checks, as both can affect balance. - **Eat and drink regularly, and limit alcohol.** Not eating or drinking enough can cause light-headedness. - **Carry a phone or personal alarm** around the home. ### Ask the GP about a falls assessment If your parent has fallen, or feels unsteady, the GP can check their balance and may refer them to a falls service. This can include strength and balance training, a home safety check and a medicines review. In some areas you can refer yourself: ask the GP practice what is available locally. ### If your parent falls and cannot get up The NHS advises using a phone or alarm, or shouting or banging for help. They should cover themselves with something warm, keep moving gently, and change position about every 30 minutes. ## 2. Get help with medicines Medicines can affect balance and get confusing. Help is available: - **Free prescriptions:** in England, everyone aged 60 or over gets free NHS prescriptions. Prescriptions are free for everyone in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. See [prescription costs and free prescriptions](https://digitalhealthcoachuk.net/prescription-costs/). - **New Medicine Service (England):** when your parent starts a new medicine for certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, asthma, COPD, type 2 diabetes or Parkinson's disease, a community pharmacist can offer 3 free check-ins over several weeks. - **Structured medication review:** a free NHS review in which a pharmacist looks at all the medicines your parent takes. Age UK says priority goes to people who are frail, live in a care home, or take 10 or more medicines. Ask the GP practice. - **Blister packs:** some pharmacists can supply medicines in packs set out by day and time. Ask the pharmacy whether it can help. - **Pill organisers and reminders:** a weekly box or an alarmed dispenser can help your parent keep track. Ask the pharmacist first whether the medicines are suitable for one. See [choosing a pill organiser](https://digitalhealthcoachuk.net/kit/pill-organisers/). - **Delivery:** some pharmacies deliver if collecting is difficult. - **Repeat prescriptions:** order them online so they do not run out. See [repeat prescriptions](https://digitalhealthcoachuk.net/repeat-prescriptions/). - **Old medicines:** take out-of-date or unwanted medicines to a pharmacy. Do not bin them or flush them. Ask the GP or pharmacist whether any medicine could affect your parent's balance. Tell them straight away if a medicine seems to make your parent dizzy or unsteady. ## 3. Get family and carer access in the NHS App Family and carer access is also called proxy access. Ask your parent's GP practice. The practice checks it is safe and, where needed, that your parent agrees. It then decides what you can do, such as ordering repeat prescriptions or booking appointments, from your own NHS App. The [proxy access guide](https://digitalhealthcoachuk.net/proxy-access/) explains how to ask. If you are new to the app, see [getting started with the NHS App](https://digitalhealthcoachuk.net/nhs-app-getting-started/). ## 4. Ask the council for a care needs assessment Anyone can ask their local council for a care needs assessment, and it is free. It looks at how your parent manages everyday tasks such as washing, dressing and cooking. 1. Contact adult social services at your parent's council, by phone or online. [Find the council on GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council). 2. You can ask on your parent's behalf. 3. The assessment may be face to face, by phone or online. Ask for face to face if that is easier, and be there if you can. 4. Be specific about the help they need, for example reminders to take medicines. If your parent qualifies, they get a care and support plan, and a financial assessment decides what they pay. If not, the council should still give free advice about local help. Some help is free whatever their income. Equipment and minor adaptations costing under £1,000 each, such as grab rails and stair handrails, can be free after a council assessment. Reablement care for up to 6 weeks after a hospital stay is also free where available. ### A carer's assessment for you If you look after your parent regularly, ask the council for a carer's assessment. It is free for anyone aged 18 or over and looks at how caring affects your health, work, free time and relationships. It can lead to breaks from caring or practical support. ## 5. Consider a personal alarm A personal alarm lets your parent call for help after a fall, even if they cannot reach a phone. Monitored alarms connect to a 24-hour team. Some councils run alarm services, so ask them first. If your parent already has an older alarm that plugs into the landline, check it will work when the phone line is switched to digital. The [personal alarms guide](https://digitalhealthcoachuk.net/kit/personal-alarms/) explains the options, costs and the phone line changes. A key safe outside the door can let help in if your parent cannot get to the door. ## 6. Help with money - **Attendance Allowance:** for people over State Pension age who have needed help with personal care, or supervision, for at least 6 months. It is not means-tested. It is £76.70 or £114.60 a week, depending on how much help they need. - **Winter Fuel Payment:** in England and Wales for winter 2026 to 2027, it is £200 per household, or £300 if someone in the household is 80 or over. It is paid automatically to people born on or before 27 June 1960. It is taken back through tax if their taxable income is over £35,000. Age UK and Carers UK can check what else you may be entitled to. ### If your parent lives in Scotland or Northern Ireland - **Scotland:** apply for [Pension Age Disability Payment](https://mygov.scot/pension-age-disability-payment) instead of Attendance Allowance. Instead of Winter Fuel Payment, Scotland pays [Pension Age Winter Heating Payment](https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/news/2026/07/pension-age-winter-heating-payment-jul-26), between £105.55 and £316.70 for winter 2026 to 2027. - **Northern Ireland:** [Attendance Allowance](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/attendance-allowance) works in the same way. [Winter Fuel Payment](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/winter-fuel-payment) is between £100 and £300 for winter 2026 to 2027. In both, payments are taken back through tax if income is over £35,000. ## 7. Stay warm in winter Cold weather raises health risks for older people. Help your parent: - keep the rooms they use most warm, especially the living room by day and the bedroom at night. The NHS suggests heating the home to at least 18C for people aged 65 or over, or with a heart or lung condition - wear layers and have warm drinks and regular hot meals - keep moving during the day, even gently - check they have any vaccines the GP or pharmacy offers them this autumn Ask Age UK about help with energy bills if heating costs are a worry. ## Where to get help and advice - **Age UK Advice Line:** 0800 678 1602. [Age UK](https://www.ageuk.org.uk/) - **Carers UK Helpline:** 0808 808 7777. [Carers UK](https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/helpline-and-other-support/) - **Independent Age:** 0800 319 6789. [Independent Age](https://www.independentage.org/) - **The Silver Line:** 0800 470 8090. [The Silver Line](https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/) ## When to get help - **Call 999** if your parent has fallen and may have hurt their head, neck, back or hip, or cannot get up. Keep them warm and comfortable, and do not try to lift them yourself. - **Call NHS 111 or use NHS 111 online** if they have fallen and may be hurt, in pain or unwell, but it is not a 999 emergency. See [which NHS service to use](https://digitalhealthcoachuk.net/which-nhs-service/). - **Contact their GP practice** after any fall, or if you are worried about their balance, mobility or medicines. - **Ask a pharmacist** if a medicine seems to cause dizziness, or for help with blister packs and delivery. - **Contact the council's adult social services** if you think your parent is not safe at home. ## Sources - [NHS: Falls](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls/) - [NHS: Falls prevention](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls/prevention/) - [NHS: How pharmacies can help](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/) - [NHS: Get help with newly prescribed medicines](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/get-help-with-newly-prescribed-medicines/) - [NHSBSA: Free NHS prescriptions](https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions) - [NHS: Getting a care needs assessment](https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/) - [NHS: Carer's assessments](https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/support-and-benefits-for-carers/carer-assessments/) - [NHS: Care and support you can get for free](https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/care-services-equipment-and-care-homes/care-and-support-you-can-get-for-free/) - [NHS: Personal alarms, monitoring systems (telecare) and key safes](https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/care-services-equipment-and-care-homes/personal-alarms-security-systems-and-keysafes/) - [NHS: Social care helplines and forums](https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/help-from-social-services-and-charities/helplines-and-forums/) - [NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex: Keep your home warm](https://hertsandwestessex.icb.nhs.uk/stay-well-1/keep-home-warm) - [GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance](https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance) - [GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance, what you'll get](https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/what-youll-get) - [GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance, eligibility](https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/eligibility) - [mygov.scot: Pension Age Disability Payment](https://mygov.scot/pension-age-disability-payment) - [Social Security Scotland: Pensioners to benefit from winter heating support (July 2026)](https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/news/2026/07/pension-age-winter-heating-payment-jul-26) - [nidirect: Attendance Allowance](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/attendance-allowance) - [nidirect: Winter Fuel Payment](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/winter-fuel-payment) - [Age UK: Winter Fuel Payment](https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/winter-fuel-payment/) - [Age UK: Attendance Allowance](https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/attendance-allowance/) - [Age UK: Getting the most from your medicines](https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/health-services/getting-the-most-from-your-medicines/) - [Carers UK: Helpline and other support](https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/helpline-and-other-support/)