Geriatric Care Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

Providing low-level illumination at night helps prevent falls by preserving visible cues as you move through the home in darkness. A nightlight keeps pathways—like stairs, doorways, and the bathroom—softly lit, so you can see steps, edges, and spills before you reach them. This supports deliberate, stable movement and reduces the risk of tripping or misjudging steps. It’s a nonpharmacologic approach that doesn’t affect balance or alertness the way sedating medications can. Conversely, leaving lights off or removing railing supports increases hazards and makes navigation riskier. So, using a nightlight along the route to the bathroom and in hallways is an effective strategy to reduce nocturnal falls.