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Why do we Fall?
Between April and September 2026, I spent time researching frailty and lymphoedema, two areas that increasingly shape the daily lives of many in our community. My focus widened after experiencing two nasty falls of my own. Those moments were frightening, but they also pushed me to look more closely at why we fall, how falls affect our confidence and independence, and what this means as we grow older.
Many different factors can increase our risk of falling, and for those living with lymphoedema, that risk can be even higher. Heavy legs, swollen ankles, and changes in sensation or mobility can make everyday movements more difficult. But lymphoedema is only one part of the picture.
Falls often happen because several issues overlap. Muscle weakness can make it harder to stay steady. Poor balance affects confidence and stability. Visual impairment can make hazards harder to spot. Polypharmacy, especially certain medicines, may cause dizziness or slower reaction times. You may sometimes have a brief blackout or faint, and there may be no clear reason for it. If this happens, it’s important to tell your GP so they can check what might be causing it.
Environmental hazards such as clutter, uneven flooring, or poor lighting add extra challenges. And some medical conditions naturally increase the likelihood of falling.
Understanding these combined risks helps us take practical steps to stay safer, move with more confidence, and recognise when our lymphoedema symptoms may be contributing to instability.
Slowing Down to Stay Safe: What Two Falls Taught Me
In the last couple of years, I’ve had two serious falls that have changed how I move and how I think about my own safety. The first fall left me with a badly damaged ankle. I should have gone to hospital, but I didn’t, and even now, two years on, the ankle has never fully recovered. The second fall happened twelve months later. This time I did call an ambulance and spent two days in hospital. What I thought was my ankles giving way turned out to be something different: my potassium levels were low, and it was actually my hips that were failing me.
Both falls happened when I tried to get out of bed too quickly in the morning. Since then, I’ve had to retrain myself to rise slowly, give my body time to adjust, and make sure I’m steady before I take a step. It’s a small change, but it’s made a big difference to my confidence and safety.
Meralgia Paresthetica
Personal reflection
My own history shows how easily subtle changes can be overlooked. Over the years, I have undergone electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies to assess the health of my muscles and nerves. The first set of tests in 2016 revealed various stages of neuropathy, radiculopathy, and deterioration in my cervical spine. It has been suggested by health care professionals that if my cervical spine has deteriorated, it is highly likely that part or all of my spine has also deteriorated.
More recently, after several falls and further EMG testing, I was diagnosed with meralgia paresthetica. When the falls first started, I assumed it was my ankles giving way, but I’ve since learned it’s actually my hips that suddenly lose strength. The latest tests show that the nerves between my hips and knees aren’t functioning properly, even though the nerves from my knees down to my feet are working as they should.
In simple terms:
My EMG findings and history of falls fit with what the condition can cause:
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A mismatch between what your legs should feel like and what they do feel like
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A sense of instability because the nerve isn’t sending reliable sensory feedback
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That unnerving “empty space” between hip and knee is a classic sensory disruption pattern
While the lymphatic system itself doesn’t cause meralgia paresthetica, changes such as swelling or infection can sometimes put pressure on the nerves that run nearby. That means for people like me, living with lymphoedema or chronic inflammation in the groin or thigh, there’s a small possibility that this pressure could irritate those nerves and contribute to symptoms.
I find this connection fascinating, especially as my lymphoedema has progressed and I now wear nighttime compression. It makes me wonder how much these overlapping systems influence one another and how understanding that might help manage both conditions more effectively.
While there is nothing to directly connect these two conditions, I did discover some quite interesting reading on PubMed.
Femoral nerve palsy: compression by lymph glands in the inguinal region - PubMed
Meralgia paresthetica caused by inguinal lymphadenopathy related to tinea pedis infection: A case report – PubMed
Please note that there is no established scientific link between Meralgia Paresthetica and the lymphatic system. This section comes entirely from my own curiosity. Many of the symptoms associated with my lymphoedema, including several neuropathies, have appeared for me only after my lymphoedema diagnosis, and that timing has made me wonder about how these experiences overlap in my daily life.
The Statistics
Key UK Statistics: Falls in Adults Aged 65+
How common are falls?
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Around one-third of people aged 65+ fall at least once a year.
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Around half of people aged 80+ fall at least once a year.
Hospital admissions
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In 2017–18, there were 220,160 emergency hospital admissions for falls among people aged 65+.
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Of these, 146,665 admissions (66.6%) were in people aged 80+.
Impact on health and independence
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Falls are the ninth highest cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in England.
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They are the leading cause of injury in older adults.
Costs to the NHS and social care
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Unaddressed fall hazards in the home cost the NHS £435 million annually.
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Fragility fractures cost the UK £4.4 billion per year, including £1.1 billion in social care.
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Hip fractures alone account for £2 billion of this total.
Outcomes after hip fracture
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One-year mortality after a hip fracture is 18–33%.
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20% of hip fracture patients enter long-term care within a year.
Falls in hospitals
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Falls are the most commonly reported patient safety incident in hospitals.
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Over 240,000 falls are reported annually across acute hospitals and mental health trusts in England and Wales.
Fall Prevention
The above graphic is a small example of the mobility aids that are available.
Sadly, I have seen far too many times in support groups that, because of lymphoedema mobility problems, a person refuses to use a mobility aid because they feel they are too young.
I’ve never liked the idea that using a mobility aid somehow means you’re “losing” your independence. In fact, I see it as the complete opposite. A mobility aid, whether it’s a stick, a rollator, a grab rail, or a bedguard, is a tool that helps you hold on to your independence for longer. It keeps you safer, steadier, and more confident as you move through your day.
For anyone under 40, the process can feel like a difficult step. It’s natural to worry about what others might think or to feel that you’re “too young” to need support. But age doesn’t decide when you deserve safety. Your body does, and listening to it is one of the strongest, most self-respecting things you can do.
Mobility aids don’t take anything away from you. They give you more: stability, confidence, and freedom to live your life without fear of falling or overstraining. They help you stay active, stay engaged, and stay safe. And if something improves your quality of life, supports your independence, and protects you from harm, then it’s not a weakness; it is common sense.
Using the right support at the right time is a sign of strength. It’s choosing to live well, not just get by. And for many of us living with lymphoedema, that choice makes all the difference.
How to Access Mobility Aids
Through the NHS
Mobility aids play an important role in helping us stay safe, steady, and independent, especially when living with long‑term conditions like lymphoedema.
They’re not just pieces of equipment; they’re practical tools that support confidence, reduce the risk of falls, and make everyday life more manageable.
As we grow older, or when our health changes, we may find that tasks we once did without thinking now require a little more support. That’s not a weakness; it’s simply part of recognising what our bodies need and responding with kindness and practicality.
Whether through the NHS, local services, or by purchasing equipment yourself, understanding the options available can make the process far less overwhelming. My aim is to offer clear, accessible guidance for people living with lymphoedema, their families, carers, and the healthcare professionals who support them.
How mobility aids:
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Reduce the risk of falls.
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Support balance and stability.
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Help conserve energy and reduce pain.
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Make daily tasks safer and more manageable.
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Enable people to stay independent for longer.
Choosing to use a mobility aid is an act of self‑care, not a sign of decline. It’s about protecting your wellbeing, staying active, and living life with confidence.
In the UK, there are several routes to accessing mobility or disability equipment through the NHS or local services. The pathway depends on your needs, your health conditions, and the type of equipment required.
1. Referral from Your GP
Your GP is often the first point of contact. They can:
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Assess whether mobility equipment would support your safety or mobility.
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Refer you to the appropriate NHS service, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or a specialist clinic.
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Provide supporting medical information if a more detailed assessment is needed.
2. Referral from a Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists can:
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Assess your mobility, gait, balance, and strength.
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Recommend aids such as walking frames, sticks, or wheelchairs.
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Refer you to wheelchair services or occupational therapy if more specialised equipment is needed.
Many physiotherapy departments can issue basic mobility aids directly following assessment.
3. Occupational Therapy (OT) Assessment
Occupational therapists play a key role in:
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Assessing your home environment.
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Identifying equipment that supports daily living (grab rails, bed rails, raised toilet seats, shower chairs, etc.).
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Arranging installation of certain aids through local authority services.
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Advising on safe movement, transfers, and fall prevention.
OT assessments can be arranged through your GP, hospital team, or local council adult social care.
4. Hospital Teams
If you are an inpatient or attending outpatient clinics, hospital physiotherapists or OTs may:
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Provide mobility aids before discharge.
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Refer you to community services for ongoing support.
5. Adult Social Care
Contact your local council. In the UK, the primary council departments for assisting with welfare, mobility and home adaptations may be able to offer assistance to live independently.
If You Choose to Buy Equipment Yourself
Many people prefer to buy their own mobility or disability equipment, either for speed, choice, or because they want something specific.
VAT Relief on Mobility and Disability Equipment
If you are buying equipment with your own funds, you should not have to pay VAT on many mobility or disability products, provided you meet HMRC’s definition of being chronically sick or disabled. This includes long‑term conditions and chronic illnesses.
Key points:
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VAT relief allows eligible products to be purchased at 0% VAT instead of the standard 20%.
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You do not need to be registered as disabled or receiving benefits to qualify.
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You simply complete a short self‑declaration at the point of purchase.
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Products covered include wheelchairs, scooters, walking frames, grab rails, bathroom aids, adjustable beds, and many other items designed for disabled people.
There are also reduced VAT rates (currently 5%) for certain mobility aids installed in the homes of people aged 60 or over.
This relief exists because the UK recognises that disabled and older people should not bear additional tax costs for essential equipment.
Falls Clinic
In the UK, your healthcare professional may suggest that you go to an NHS falls clinic. These clinics are run by a team of specialists who help older adults understand why they are falling and how to stay safe and independent.
At the clinic, a nurse or physiotherapist will do a full check of your health. They will look at your medical history and review your medicines, especially any that might cause dizziness. They may check your blood pressure and do an ECG to look at your heart rhythm.
You will also have a strength and balance assessment. A physiotherapist will watch how you walk, move, and stand, and then give you simple exercises to help improve your strength and stability.
Finally, an occupational therapist may offer advice on making your home safer. They can suggest small changes and walking aids that make everyday tasks easier and reduce your risk of falling.
How to Get This Service
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GP referral: Your GP usually needs to send a referral before you can go to a falls clinic.
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Who can use the service: Some clinics see people aged 60 and over, but most are for people aged 65 and over who have had a fall or are at high risk of falling.
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Local services: Falls clinics are run by your local NHS trust or community health team, so the support you get may vary depending on where you live.
Survey and Comments from L-W-O Support Group Members.
Although our members rarely take part in polls, a small survey still produced thoughtful, honest comments. Their insights were extremely valuable, highlighting just how complex and personal the issue of falling can be for people living with lymphoedema. Heavy legs, swollen ankles, reduced mobility, and the challenges of ageing all play a part, but so do emotional factors like fear, frustration, and the impact on everyday life.
This topic is personal to me. I’m now entering a stage of life where frailty, lymphoedema, and falls are not just areas of professional interest; they are realities that shape my own wellbeing. By sharing what I’ve learned and what our members have told me, I hope to open up a conversation that supports others who may be facing similar challenges.
Please note: This video has background music and no spoken audio.
Please note: In the interest of transparency, members’ reflections were shared within the online support group. Initials have been used in place of full names to respect confidentiality. Content written by Gaynor Leech © L‑W‑O Community 2026. Visual graphics were generated using AI tools.
Conclusion: Learning to Adapt
Without Blame
As I reflect on everything I’ve learned, through research, through the exercise for the Seniors CPD course, through listening to our community, and through my own falls, one truth stands out: getting angry with myself has never helped. It’s taken time to realise that frustration only drains the energy I need for staying safe, staying steady, and staying well. What has helped is treating each change in my body as a new experience to understand, not a failure to fight.
Learning to adapt isn’t always easy, especially when those changes arrive suddenly or feel unfair. But adaptation is not giving in; it’s choosing to move forward with awareness, curiosity, and self‑respect. Whether it’s rising more slowly in the morning, using a mobility aid, or paying closer attention to what my nerves and muscles are telling me, every adjustment is a step toward living more confidently.
Many of my friends, and at times even I, find growing older challenging. It’s easy to see ageing as something that takes away, but I’ve learned we need to stop viewing it as a negative. Ageing is a natural process, not a decline, and adapting to change is part of living well.
Through advocacy, we also need to challenge the idea that the natural ageing process isn’t worth a healthcare professional’s time or effort. Every person deserves to be treated as an individual, not as a collection of symptoms dismissed as “just age". A more holistic approach, one that looks at the whole person, their experiences, and their goals, helps ensure that care remains compassionate and meaningful.
For me, staying proactive means continuing to learn, speak up, and encourage others to do the same. Ageing may bring challenges, but it also brings wisdom, resilience, and the chance to keep growing, and that’s something worth embracing.
If sharing my experiences helps even one person feel less isolated or more empowered to make their own changes, then the six or seven months it's taken to put this series together has been worth it.
Glossary of Terms
Blackouts: A blackout, or faint, happens when someone suddenly loses consciousness because the brain doesn’t get enough blood for a short time.
Dizziness: Can feel different for each person. It might feel like being lightheaded, like the room is spinning, or like you are unsteady on your feet. It can happen when blood pressure suddenly drops, which makes it harder for the brain to get enough blood.
Gait: Means the way a person walks, including their speed, movement, and steadiness.
Meralgia paresthetica: Is a nerve condition caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, the nerve that supplies sensation (not movement) to the outer part of your thigh. It leads to burning pain, tingling, numbness, or altered sensation on one side of the upper thigh.
Polypharmacy: Using multiple medications at the same time, which is sometimes necessary and sometimes harmful. Polypharmacy is often common in older adults and people living with frailty or multiple long-term conditions.
Page First Published: 01/08/2026
Last Update: 17/09/2026
Next Review: 2029