The risk of falling increases as we age as vision and coordination become a challenge and medical conditions affect balance. More than 1 in 4 adults over the age of 65 fall every year. If an aging loved one falls, it can be a frightening experience for the whole family. Below are our top tips for safely assisting an elderly person who has fallen.

Assess the Fall

If your aging loved one falls, remain calm and tell them to remain still until you can help them up. This is the time to assess the situation and ensure they don’t have any major injuries that require immediate medical attention. Your loved one could potentially hurt themselves if they try to get up too quickly. Ask your loved one if they are uninjured and able to get up with assistance. If they are hesitant, in pain, bleeding, or unconscious, call 911. 

Help Them Get Up

Help your fallen loved one up only after you have deemed it safe to do so. Continue monitoring their reaction to any pain that starts as they are getting up. To safely help your aging loved one get back up, help stabilize them while they follow these steps:

• Slowly roll to their side.
• Place their hands and knees on the ground in a crawling position.
• Use support to get into a lunge position.
• Turn onto a nearby chair if possible.
• Stand up only when they are ready.

Determine the Cause of the Fall

Once the immediate danger is gone and your loved one is safe and comfortable you can determine the cause of their fall to prevent future incidents. Look for upturned corners of rugs, misplaced items in walkways, or hazardous obstacles. Talk to your loved one about what they think happened, how they were feeling before they fell, or if they altered their routine in any way. Falling can be caused by new medications, hunger, dehydration, or underlying medical conditions. 

Eliminate Fall Risks

You can help prevent accidents from happening in the future by performing a Home Safety Assessment. Have a conversation with your loved one and their doctor about their blood pressure, mobility, nutrition needs, or medication management. 

Consider In-Home Care

If you are concerned about your aging loved one’s safety at home, it might be time to consider in-home care. Finding a professional caregiver will allow your loved one to maintain their independence while making sure they have the assistance they need to perform activities of daily living.

At HomeSpark, we understand that bringing a professional caregiver into your home is an important decision. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of non-medical, in-home care.