Most people never think about getting up off the floor until they're lying on it, looking at the dust under the stove. A slip-and-fall in the kitchen or on an icy driveway is frightening, and fear makes it harder to think clearly. Senior Helpers provides a few steps to prepare in advance, plus a way to call for help within reach, that can make those first minutes calmer and safer.
Stay Still for a Moment
The safest move after a fall is to pause before you try to move, even though your first instinct may be to jump up.
Breathe slowly for a minute and notice whether anything hurts badly. Check if you hit your head, and if there's any dizziness or confusion. If you're in serious pain, can't move a limb, or think you may be hurt, don't try to stand. Stay where you are and call for help.
Calling for Help When You Can't Get Up
After a fall, having a way to call for help within reach can make all the difference. Here are some tips you may want to consider:
- Keep your phone with you; it won't help on the bathroom floor if it's charging elsewhere.
- Many older adults keep a cell phone in a cardigan pocket, wear a personal emergency response device, or have a cordless phone on a low shelf.
- With no phone in reach, call out loudly, bang on the floor or a pipe, and try to slide toward a door or window where a neighbour might hear you.
- Call emergency services if you are injured or cannot get up.
- Ask your family doctor ahead of time about situations where they would want you to seek care even if you feel fine afterward.
If You Feel Able to Get Up
As you try to get up, it's best to go slowly. Here's
- Roll onto your side, then onto your hands and knees.
- Crawl to a sturdy chair or bed, place your hands on it, and bring one foot forward to push up and sit down.
- Rest in the chair for a few minutes before trying to walk.
Your doctor or physiotherapist can teach you a safe way to get up. Practicing on a carpeted floor with someone nearby builds confidence. If you'd like to learn more broadly about first aid, St. John Ambulance offers training.
After the Fall Is Over
Tell your doctor about any fall, even one that left only a bruise. A fall can be a sign of a health change worth checking, such as a medication side effect or a balance problem.
Then look for the cause. Maybe it was the bath mat that curls at one corner, or the hallway that goes dim after four o'clock, or a lamp cord that has slowly crept out across the floor where you walk at night. To spot other risks around the house, go through the Public Health Agency of Canada's guidance on preventing falls and injuries in older adults.
Safety at Home After A Fall With In-Home Care
A clear walkway and a phone you can reach matter all winter for older adults in Hamilton and Burlington. Senior Helpers Hamilton West provides non-medical home care for loved ones, including companionship, bathing assistance, and light housekeeping. Contact us to hear how a caregiver could support you at home.