What to do after a fall
Understanding Fall Risks in Older Adults
As we age, naturally occurring physical changes—such as altered gait, reduced balance, decreased bone density, and deteriorating vision—significantly increase the hazard and potential severity of a fall. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data highlights the scope of this issue for adults aged 65 and older:
Emergency Care: Nearly 3 million older adults visit hospital emergency rooms annually due to falls.
Fatalities: Over 38,000 fatal accidental fall injuries occur each year.
While proactive fall prevention is essential, knowing how to safely respond immediately following an incident is critical to protecting long-term health and independence.
Immediate Actions After a Fall
Pause and Stay Calm: Avoid the immediate urge to stand.
Resist the immediate urge to get up right away, even if you feel embarrassed in a public setting. Pause, catch your breath, and remain still to avoid worsening potential injuries. If you are unable to stand unassisted, it is important to wait for medical assistance to prevent further injury.
Assess for Pain and Head Injuries:
Check for sharp pain in high-risk areas: head, neck, back, hips, arms, and legs. If you feel no immediate pain while completely still, begin gently moving your toes and work upward through your body to test mobility. Check your face, head, and scalp for bleeding, as cranial wounds can bleed heavily. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth if bleeding occurs.
Determine Whether to Stay Down or Stand:
Remain on the floor and call for emergency assistance immediately if you experience sharp pain, suspected fractures, loss of sensation, heavy bleeding, previous loss of consciousness, vision changes, ringing ears, or dizziness. Shouting or knocking nearby objects against the floor can help alert others if you are isolated or lack access to a phone.
Execute a Controlled Stand (If Uninjured): Proceed only if free of severe pain, dizziness, or shock.
Roll carefully onto your stomach and crawl toward a sturdy piece of furniture or strong support surface.
Roll onto your side, place an arm beneath your torso, and push up onto all fours.
Place both hands firmly on the sturdy support object, bringing one foot forward so it rests flat on the floor.
Bring the second foot forward into a crouching position, then slowly push up to stand while leaning into the support. If you feel pain or lightheadedness at any point, immediately return to a resting position on the floor and call for help.
Next Steps and Long-Term Prevention
Even a fall without injury can signal an underlying health issue or cause lasting anxiety about losing independence. Taking follow-up action helps mitigate future incidents:
Schedule a Medical Evaluation: Consult a physician to identify potential underlying causes, such as medication side effects, blood pressure drops, or inner ear issues.
Perform a Home Safety Audit: Address common environmental hazard triggers like loose rugs, poor lighting, or missing handrails.
Consider Dedicated Home Care Support: Dedicated home health care provides professional supervision with high-risk tasks. Organizations like COHME offer home health aides and nurses trained in targeted fall-prevention strategies to help older adults remain safe and independent at home.
