7 steps to help your elderly loved one get up safely after a fall

One of the most common sources of worry and tension for elderly aging in place is the fear of falling. Falls can result in disabling injuries for seniors, causing loss of independence and impacting the quality of their lives. According to sources every 13 seconds an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall and every 20 minutes an older adult dies from a fall.

Most family caregivers of seniors make adjustments to their seniors’ homes to reduce the possibility of a fall but it still may happen. Learning to get up after a fall safely is of key importance. Much attention is given to preventing falls, but that does not make it inevitable.

When an elderly falls two things should always be considered:

1) The time spent on the floor – The longer the time a person spends on the floor, the less likely they will be able to return to living independently.
2) To keep calm and manage the situation wisely – The best way to help the elderly after a fall is to stay calm, assess the situation, help her get up from the floor if possible and get help.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared and know what to do in case a fall happens. Below are some steps to help your elderly loved one get up safely after a fall:

1) Have them stay where they are on the floor or ground and lie still for a few moments.
2) While lying in place, have them perform a self-assessment to determine if they are injured.
3) If they’re injured, tell them to remain where they are while you summon emergency medical assistance.
4) If they feel they are 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.
5) Crawling on hands and knees to the nearest sturdy chair is next.
6) 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.
7) Next, and last, is to have them slowly rise and turn their body to sit in the chair.

If your elderly loved one is more vulnerable to falling or had frequent falls then one should consider some sort of alert or emergency services. You may not be able to prevent every fall, but knowing what to do if one should occur will make a difference in their recovery and everyone’s peace of mind.

Samvedna Care – Emergency and Respite Care:

Our emergency support service is for times when an elderly needs assistance in a hurry. In case of an emergency like a fall, sudden illness or unplanned travel, we are one phone call away, ready to step into action and deal with things. The services include ambulance assistance, an on-call helpline (8am-8pm), hospitalization support and more.

Respite care services give caregivers an opportunity to leave home for a few hours for errands, appointments or simply to unwind, with the peace of mind that comes with knowing their loved ones are in capable hands.

More – https://www.samvednacare.com/emergency-respite-care