Elderly Person Falls What to Do

Falls are a common and serious problem for older people. Taking the right steps can help them stay calm, avoid serious injury and get medical attention more quickly.

It can be tempting to move your elderly loved one immediately after a fall but this could make the situation worse. If they are not able to get up by themselves and appear to be in pain, do not move them as movement may exacerbate any injuries they have.

Call for Help

Although your loved one might not be badly injured and may not need to go to hospital, it is a good idea for them to see their doctor soon after their fall. This will help to ensure that there are no hidden injuries and that they are well enough to continue with the day-to-day tasks they were doing before their fall.

A doctor will also be able to provide your elderly parent with reassurance and advice about how to prevent falls from happening again. They will recommend things like installing extra lighting around the home, removing trip hazards such as clutter and rugs and adding grab bars and rails to the bathroom and stairways.

It is important that you try to find out why your elderly loved one fell so that they can avoid falling again in the future. Ask them if they felt dizzy or weak before the fall, whether they had eaten that day and what medications they take.

If they say that they aren’t hurt, then you can help them get up from the floor by supporting them with arms and hands. Be very careful not to move them too much as this can worsen any injuries they have sustained. If they are seriously injured or unresponsive, then you should call an ambulance. This is particularly true if they have a head injury or are unable to follow your finger when you touch their forehead.

Check for Signs of Injury

In many cases, your elderly loved one will be fine after a fall. However, they may have a serious injury that isn’t immediately visible. For instance, if they are unconscious after the fall or they appear to be in severe pain, it is essential that they see a doctor as soon as possible.

This will help them to be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible, so that they don’t have any lasting effects from their fall. A geriatrician or family physician will look for any underlying issues that might have led to the fall, such as a heart condition, stroke, neurological conditions and even dehydration.

When they are able to get up, they should try to do so slowly and carefully to avoid any further damage. They should also make sure that there are no hazards on the floor, such as rugs, loose lino and cables, before they attempt to get up.

In addition to examining them for injuries, you should also ask the person if they are feeling any pain, where it is located and how severe it is. It’s important to do this as it can help you decide whether they need to be moved or not. Also, it’s good to reassure them that their fall was not their fault. This will help them to regain confidence in their ability to perform everyday tasks and reduce their risk of future falls.

Try to Get Up

After the person has calmed down, and you have checked them for injuries (indicated by bruising, skin discoloration or pain) it is worth trying to help them up. However, it is crucial to remember that they should only be moved if they feel safe doing so and can manage the movement without hurting themselves or falling again.

It’s also a good idea to try to discover the cause of their fall. This will help them to stay safe in the future by making their home free of obstacles that could cause them to trip. This will also include ensuring that they have enough light throughout their home so that they can see where they are going.

Getting up from the floor is not easy and can be dangerous for older people if they are not careful. It is therefore important that they are able to move themselves into a chair. If possible, find two chairs and place one beside them. You should then ask them to sit down in the chair and guide them into a position that is comfortable for them.

You can also check out this useful video which shows you the steps involved in helping someone up from a fall. Ensure that you have a charged cordless phone or an emergency response system with you at all times so that you can call for help if necessary.

Stay Calm

It can be frightening for a senior to fall, but it is important to remain calm. It can help the elderly person keep from worsening their injuries and ensure that they get medical attention more quickly. In addition, remaining calm can help you figure out what caused the fall and whether there are any compounding factors that could lead to another fall.

If they can stand up with your assistance and they don’t seem to be in pain, then it may not be necessary to call an ambulance. However, it’s still a good idea to check for signs of injury like bruising or skin discoloration. You should also ask if they feel any pain and where it is located.

Personal Alarms for elderly Once you’ve checked for any injuries, try to encourage your loved one to stay calm and sit up slowly. It’s important to make sure that they don’t try to stand up too quickly because that can cause more harm than good.

In addition, if they start to feel dizzy or lightheaded, you should have them lie down and elevate their feet. You can also use a personal alarm to make it easier for them to signal for help when they fall again. It’s also a good idea to invest in a personal fall monitoring system that will give them the confidence and peace of mind they need to continue living safely at home.