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Here's What to Do After an Elderly Person Falls

Posted by:

Johannes Sauer

Published at: December 17, 2024

Table of Contents

  1. Immediate Steps to Take After a Fall

  2. Assessing for Injuries

  3. When to Seek Medical Attention

  4. Follow-Up Care and Preventing Future Falls

  5. The Importance of Fall Prevention

  6. Putting a Plan in Place

If you are present when an elderly person falls, it is important to know what to do. Falls can lead to serious injuries and long-term consequences, especially if the person does not receive immediate treatment. Here is what to do if an elderly person falls.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Fall

1. First of all, stay calm. Panicking helps no one. 

2. Check their responsiveness and breathing.

3. Reassure the person that you are going to help them.

4. Search for any obvious signs of injury.

5. If the person is not seriously hurt, help them get up slowly. If the person is seriously injured, call for professional medical help instead.

6. Consider asking if the person is on blood thinners. If they are, the situation could be more serious than it appears. 

Assessing for Injuries

While you are assessing the person for injuries, here is what to be especially alert for:

  • Signs of a head injury, including concussion symptoms
  • Bruising, deformities, or swelling in the arms or legs
  • Pain
  • Numbness
  • Difficulties moving

Be aware that not all symptoms present at the time of the fall. Some may appear hours later. Someone will need to monitor the patient for delayed symptoms.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Not every fall requires medical attention, but some do. Here are some scenarios where you should seek immediate medical attention:

  • If the person is unresponsive.
  • If the person is not breathing.
  • If you see signs of a broken bone or other serious injury.
  • If the person is showing signs of a concussion after hitting their head.
  • If the person has a history of falls.
  • If the person is taking blood thinners. 

Follow-Up Care and Preventing Future Falls

Dec 17, 2024

After a serious fall, or if an elderly person keeps falling, they should schedule a doctor’s appointment to find out what is going on, and if any underlying causes need to be addressed.

For example, if an underlying condition like Parkinson’s or MS is playing a role, the doctor can come up with a treatment plan. If foot problems such as foot drop are involved, they can help treat these as well. They can also review medications that might be causing dizziness.

Other steps to prevent future falls include removing tripping hazards at home, and exercising to enhance balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility. Mobility aids like Cadense shoes can help. 

The Importance of Fall Prevention

Since falls are one of the top causes of hip fractures and other injuries in seniors, it is essential to prevent them. The good news is that by following advice for preventing falls like we have shared in this article, older adults can successfully prevent many falls and lead more independent lives.

Putting a Plan in Place

Taking an organized, methodical approach to create a plan to prevent falls is most likely to be successful.

To encourage safe, healthy exercise and maintenance of a healthy gait, you can get shoes for seniors like the Cadense Original Adaptive Shoes.

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FAQ

What should I do first if an elderly person falls?

Check if they are responsive and breathing. If they are not, call for immediate medical attention.

How can I tell if an elderly person is seriously injured after a fall?

See our section above titled “Assessing for Injuries.” This will tell you what you should look for. 

What should I do if the person who fell is unresponsive or not breathing?

This is a medical emergency. Call 911. Then, attempt CPR while you are waiting for help to arrive. If you do not know how to do CPR, you should take a class before you find yourself in a situation like this.

How can I help an elderly person get up safely after a fall?

Ideally, you should give them a chair or other low furnishing they can use for assistance as they sit up, and then stand up (easiest from a kneeling position). If nothing is available, you can try to support them as they stand. 

What if the person who fell is on blood thinners?

This can be a medical emergency, even if the injuries appear superficial. Call 911, even if you think the person is fine. They may be bleeding internally.

Should I still seek medical attention even if there are no obvious injuries?

Yes, even if you do not believe there is an emergency, you should help the person get to a doctor to get checked out. Not all injuries are obvious. 

Posted by: Johannes Sauer

Johannes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cadense and passionate about helping people with walking difficulties. Johannes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cadense and passionate about helping people with walking difficulties. He was immediately drawn to the mission of the company because his cousin lost his lower leg in a tragic motorcycle accident a few years ago and is experiencing walking difficulties ever since. Johannes brings over a decade of experience in working for consumer product companies to Cadense. He holds an MBA from the University of Graz in Austria. Johannes lives with his family in Santa Barbara, CA.

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