How to get back up after a fall? We'll help with these tips.

On a daily basis, caregivers face multiple challenges related to the well-being of their patients . And while we can be prepared for many events, the truth is that accidents can happen at any time, and we must know how to act quickly and accordingly.

It's well known that a fall can be life-threatening for older adults. Therefore, the most important thing is to foster a safe home environment to prevent a fall. If a fall still occurs, we should consider the following:

Falls in older adults and what we know about them

Falls account for nearly 80% of accidents in nursing homes and 20% in assisted living facilities.

Science has studied extensively some of the problems that can occur in older adulthood. It's known as "geriatric syndrome" and consists of four symptoms, one of which includes falls.

They are characterized by being highly frequent in people over 65 years of age , deteriorating the quality of life, being preventable and, of course, being comprehensive.

The groups are:

1. Immobility
2. Instability-falls.
3. Urinary incontinence.
4. Cognitive impairment.

Possible causes of falls

• Dizziness from taking certain medications.
• Poorly lit furniture or spaces at home.
• Not having the appropriate footwear, glasses or clothing.
• The weakness of the body.
• Osteoarticular diseases (arthritis, osteoarthritis), cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, kidney failure) or neuropsychiatric diseases (Alzheimer's, dementia).
• As a sequel to a previous fall.

Although falls are considered accidents, a number of adjustments can be made at home to prevent them as much as possible. For example, by lighting rooms, clearing spaces, installing non-slip floors, installing handrails where necessary, and even reviewing the type of clothing and footwear the person wears.

We'll tell you how to adapt your home to prevent falls in older adults in this article. Learn the best tips for preventing accidents.

What should I do if my senior falls?

1. Stay calm

When such an accident occurs, the adult will naturally be frightened and agitated . And sometimes, in an effort to help the child, the caregiver may risk further harming the child or even themselves.

So the first thing is to be as calm as possible so we can also calm the adult , especially if they're severely injured and bleeding from somewhere. You can try breathing slowly to relax.

2. Communicate

This will also help reassure your adult: speak slowly and lovingly. And most importantly: DO NOT blame or scold them . At that moment, it's irrelevant to blame. You have to act, and the more you communicate, the better.

Once you have their attention, it's time to let them know that, to get them up, you'll have to work as a team . Explain what you'll do and what you need them to do.

3. Review the situation

Examine your adult and check for any scrapes or swelling on their body. Ask them to tell you if they feel any particular pain in any area of ​​their body, so you can be extra careful when lifting them.

If there is a significant injury (such as a broken bone or severe sprain), don't move the person. It's much better to call your local emergency number and wait for instructions .

4. The process to lift it

Identify which body part you can lean on to help each other. Sometimes you don't need to use all your strength, but if you do, take breaks as needed and always keep your back straight.

In fact, they can lean on a sturdy, fixed chair . Clear the area as much as possible so the patient can turn around and, leaning on the chair, kneel. To avoid further discomfort, it's helpful to place a towel or pillow in that area so they can lean against it.

Once you're on your knees, place a second chair behind you so you can sit. Once you're seated, check your body again. Take your time and communicate a lot throughout the process.

5. Hydration, temperature and cleanliness

Sometimes falls occur when a person is home alone and lacks immediate support. That's why it's so important to hydrate them.

Also remember that, having been in contact with the floor , the adult may feel very cold, so it will also be necessary to dress him warmly. Therefore, he may need to clean himself if he gets any areas of his body dirty.

6. Call the doctor

Regardless of the severity of the fall, an expert will be able to perform the necessary assessment to determine the patient's health status, prescribe medication, and rule out other conditions that could compromise their well-being.

Did you know the six most common falls experienced by older adults? We'll tell you everything you need to know here.

Essential after a fall: interdisciplinary support

After a fall, adults may experience a certain fear of falling again. This is known as "post-fall syndrome," and if not properly addressed, it can lead to isolation and depression.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide our adult with various sources of support, so that we can work together.

1. Physicians . They can assess the consequences of inactivity after a fall, conduct tests, and provide follow-up care both in the office and with medication.
2. Physical therapists . They would help provide massages and exercises so the adult can gradually regain as much mobility as possible without injuring themselves in the process.
3. Psychologists. They could offer support and work together on the patient's fears. It's not about ignoring them, but rather recognizing them and knowing how to address them.
4. Support networks. Family and friends play a fundamental role throughout this process, supporting and encouraging adults to resume their activities.
5. Her role is to lead much of this teamwork, keeping track of medical appointments, medication schedules, and keeping family and friends informed.

Prevent falls in older adults with the best accessories

As you can see, for adults, some situations will be more prepared than others. The important thing is to have all the available prevention measures at hand .

1. You can count on safety rails like TheraHand to help seniors feel safer when sleeping or getting out of bed.
2. If the adult has limited mobility or is in a wheelchair, you can help them move with a transfer belt with handles like the TheraPilot , so you don't have to strain yourself or strain your back. This is very practical for preventing falls when assisting in transferring the patient.
3. Something that seems very simple but is very important is taking care of yourself while bathing. You can add an accessory like TheraBubble to your tub, which is a contoured anti-fall mat .

The importance of prevention

In this article, we've shared various options for what to do if your adult suffers an accident and how to prevent it.

And in the case of falls, as in many others, interdisciplinary support is required , made up of a group of experts where the caregiver plays a key role.