A balance app for preventing falls helped older adults feel steadier in 12 weeks

If you have a parent or grandparent who feels a little unsteady on their feet, here is good news. A guided exercise app helped older adults improve their balance in just 12 weeks, and balance is one of the best tools for preventing falls.

The app is called Keep-On-Keep-Up, or KOKU. People who used it got steadier than people who only received standard advice. And the idea behind it is easy to try at home today.

How the study worked

Researchers in England recruited 202 adults aged 60 and older who live in their own homes. The average age was about 77. A coin-flip style draw (a randomized trial) put 102 people in the app group and 100 in a comparison group. Everyone got standard care, which meant advice on strength and balance exercise and a falls prevention leaflet. The app group also used KOKU, a program approved by England’s National Health Service that offers step-by-step exercises and education on staying on your feet. The trial was published on September 4, 2026 in Age and Ageing, and it looked at balance over 12 weeks rather than counting falls over a longer time.

What they found

The people in the trial were 76.8 years old on average, so these results come from the age group that is most at risk of falls.

Balance was the main thing the researchers measured, using a standard test called the Berg Balance Scale. After 12 weeks, the app group scored about 6 points higher than the comparison group, after taking their starting scores into account. The exact figure was 6.35 points.

Most people stuck with it, too. Of the 202 who joined, 89.1% were still taking part at 12 weeks.

The researchers also looked at money. The app was linked to lower costs from falls on average, and to a small gain in quality of life. That is an early sign that a program like this can pay for itself while helping people stay steady.

Why an app is a big deal

Exercise classes are great, but they are not always close by, and not everyone can get to one. Falls are a leading cause of injury-related hospital stays in older adults, so a way to practice balance at home matters.

An app can be a patient coach in the living room. It can start easy, add challenge step by step, and be there any day of the week. The researchers say their results support adding digital programs to everyday care, right alongside traditional services.

What you can do today

Try a simple balance move together. Stand next to a kitchen counter and hold on lightly. Lift one foot and stand on the other leg for 10 seconds. Switch legs. Do the whole thing three times.

If it feels easy, try holding on with just a fingertip. If your parents like the idea of guidance, look for a strength and balance class at a local YMCA or senior center, or ask a physical therapist about a routine that fits them. Make it a daily habit you do together while the coffee brews.