Falling can result in disabling injuries for seniors, causing loss of independence for far too many and hurting the quality of their lives.
Yeah, but not many seniors really fall, right? Unfortunately, one in three senior adults fall each year. Even worse, those who have already fallen once are even more likely to fall again in the future.
We’ve talked before about trying to prevent falls, but we can’t guarantee that our senior loved ones won’t fall at some point in their lives.
While too many seniors are injured and require emergency medical assistance after a fall, today we’re talking about those who can get up after they’ve fallen.
Getting Up Correctly Video Tip
Yes, there is a correct way for seniors to get up after a fall. For many of us the initial instinct is to reach out, grab their hand or arm, and pull them up. Doing that, however, can make an injury worse and even give them a new one, such as breaking a fragile arm or pulling a shoulder out of its socket. It’s not that we mean them harm, of course, but the bones and joints of many of our senior loved ones are weakened from age and use.
We prepared this Senior Care Corner Family Caregiver Video Tip to educate family caregivers and their senior loved ones on the proper way to get up from a fall.
Watch while Kathy demonstrates the correct way for seniors to get up from falls safely.
No, Kathy was not harmed in the making of this video (hey, work & education can be fun, right!).
Steps to Getting Up From a Fall
What is the right way for senior loved ones to get up after a fall, if they are able? There are several steps to help them get up safely and avoid falling again while doing so.
- Have them stay where they are on the floor or ground and lie still for a few moments.
- While lying in place, have them perform a self-assessment to determine if they are injured.
- If they’re injured, tell them to remain where they are while you summon emergency medical assistance by calling 911 if at home.
- If they feel able to get up safely, the next step is for them to roll to one side.
- Have them rest on their side for a few moments to allow their body and blood pressure to adjust.
- Crawling on hands and knees to the nearest sturdy chair is next. Moving that chair closer to them, if you are able, can make a difference to them.
- When at the chair, they should put their hands on the seat of the chair, slide one foot forward so it is flat on the floor and keep the other knee on the floor.
- Next, and last, is to have them SLOWLY rise and turn their body to sit in the chair.
These steps to getting up after a fall are in a PDF you can discuss with senior loved ones for their own safety as well as print and post where they’ll be handy if you or another friend or family member is present after a fall.
We hope you find this Family Caregiver Video Tip helpful and informative. You can find this and more on the Senior Care Corner Channel at YouTube.
There are more tips to come so be sure to check back or subscribe to our updates!
Amazing care video!!
Fantastic information for all of us! I definitely want to share this with friends and family. I am emailing your link to my niece today. She recently started caring for her father who is 84 years old. He wasn’t in her home but a matter of days when he fell so I know she will appreciate seeing your suggested procedures for a fall. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks Karen, good luck to your niece!
This is a very helpful video… Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Garson, we are so happy that you found it helpful. It is important to get up carefully in case of injury so we don’t make things worse!
very informative and thus helpful
Good advice. I tell my falling students to be adamant and yell, “Don’t touch me!” when people rush over to help them up. The urge to get someone back up on their feet is very strong, and you must be firm to slow your helpers down.
Also, crawling on hands and knees to a support can be very difficult for those of us with bad knees. An alternative is “butting around”: sit up with your legs in front and use your arms and legs to scoot backwards towards your goal.
Perfect Mike, we agree it is best to assess the situation before trying to “help” someone up who has fallen. It can be difficult for some caregivers to help up another person especially if they are larger and less mobile. Call for help — don’t make things worse! Thanks for sharing!