What to do when someone falls

If you are caring for a frail older family member it is important to know what to do when someone falls. Not only so you can help an injured person but to avoid injuring yourself.

It is not a bad idea to have a strategy in place in case of a fall. Many older people fall at home alone. Sometimes people can lay on the floor for days before help arrives.

Talk with a family member about the possibility of a fall. Figure out how to get help in case of an emergency and discuss your plans with your neighbours.

When people fall at home they often have trouble reaching the phone. If you are caring for someone who lives alone consider using a personal alarm system to ensure a distress call is heard.

Falls can be caused by many factors. Underlying medical conditions, foot problems, poor balance, medications and poor vision are just some of the reasons people fall. Falls should always be investigated.

Check for injuries

If a person falls avoid moving the person until it has been established that the fall has not caused serious injury. If a person is seriously injured call 000 for an ambulance.  

• Do not try to get the person up of the ground immediately
• Ask the person to take some deep breaths, relax and place a pillow under the person's head 
• Check for any injuries. Can the person move their legs and arms? Is the person in pain? Is there any obvious deformity? Bones sticking out, swelling, bleeding, unusual position of the limbs? 
• Has the person hit their head? Does the person appear grey in colour, is the person unconscious?

Falls for many older people result in serious injury. Broken hips are one of the most common injuries from falls and can lead to serious disability for many people.

Older people may also be reluctant to tell you they have fallen and you may find out by accident. Sometimes injuries are not always evident straight away. Bruising will not appear for days after a fall or you may notice a family member walking with a limp or in discomfort. Even fractures can go undetected for days.

That's why it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible after a fall. Your doctor will want to know what happened before the fall, how the person landed and what medications the person is taking.

How to get someone up off the floor

If a person has just fallen and you are trying to get them up off the floor remember to try and let the other person do the work.

If they are having problems moving, are in any pain or fearful of getting up call 000 for an ambulance.

If a family member falls in an aged care home or you come across a resident who has fallen in an aged care home, call for nursing staff. Do not attempt to lift another resident up off the floor.  

Remember to check for injuries before attempting to move a person and don't persist if a person complains of pain.

• Do not hurry a person. Place a chair near the individual's head and one at their feet.
• Ask the person to roll onto their side.
• Support the person whilst they kneel on both knees facing the chair.
• Place the other chair behind the person ready to sit on.
• Ask the person to use the seat of the chair to support them whilst they bring one leg forward placing their foot on the floor.
• If they can, ask them to push up to standing position and place the other chair behind them to sit on.
• The person should be able to do this on their own. Do not lift a person or ask the person to place their weight on their feet if they're in pain.
• Inform a individual's doctor that they have fallen as soon as possible.

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