Caring for an Elderly Loved One After a Fall

Falls in elderly people are common; over 14 million older adults report falling each year. Falls are also the leading cause of injury for older adults and result in an estimated 3 million emergency department visits annually for seniors. 

Sometimes, falls result in injuries that require hospitalization or surgery; other times, you can provide care at home. In both situations, your loved one may need care after their fall, and the amount of time it takes to recover can vary greatly. Here, you will find information about how to help your loved one immediately following a fall and for the days and weeks afterward. 

What to do immediately after a fall

Often, a person’s first instinct when they fall is to try to immediately get back up. If you witness an elderly person fall, it is best to encourage them to stay where they are and take a few deep breaths. Look for signs of apparent injury, such as bleeding, obvious deformities, or swelling. If an older adult reports neck, back, or hip pain, it is best to try not to move them. If the fall caused injury to their head, they cannot move, or they are unconscious, you should call 911. 

If you see any of these additional signs or symptoms, it is best to seek emergency medical care, as a more serious injury may have occurred:

• The person has changes to how they think or process information, such as being confused, not knowing where they are, or being unable to respond to you.
• Bleeding that cannot be easily stopped or a cut that appears deep.
• Deformity of limbs (with hip fractures, one leg may appear shorter than the other or be turned to the side).
• Nausea, vomiting, or moderate to severe headache.
• Severe pain or being unable to move parts of their body, such as a leg or an arm.

The most common injuries sustained from a fall are:

• Strains or sprains.
• Broken bones or fractures, especially of the wrist, arm, ankle, or hip.
• Head injuries, including concussions, subdural hematomas, or other brain injuries.
• Dislocation of joints.
• Skin and tissue trauma, including abrasions, bruising, and skin tears.

If your loved one can move without severe pain and has no signs of apparent injury, you can help them stand and move to a comfortable sitting or lying position. Provide first aid if needed, and monitor them closely for the first 24 to 72 hours, as injuries can appear hours or days later. 

Even if you believe your elderly loved one’s fall did not result in an injury requiring immediate medical attention, scheduling a follow-up visit with their primary care provider is recommended. This can help determine the cause of the fall and develop a plan for prevention measures to avoid falls in the future.

Returning from the hospital or doctor’s office

If the fall resulted in an emergency room visit, hospital stay, or doctor’s office visit, the health care professionals will provide you with recommended follow-up instructions. You should always follow the instructions provided by the medical team. Aftercare will vary based on any injuries sustained from the fall. It can include head injury protocols, pain management, or, at times, activity restrictions. 

If your elderly loved one hit their head when they fell, they may continue experiencing problems with confusion and short-term memory loss for days or weeks following the fall. They will need extra assistance tracking follow-up appointments, ensuring they take their medications, and following aftercare instructions. If they live alone, someone should stay with them until they can safely care for themselves again. 

If a fall resulted in a fracture or broken bone that required surgical repair, returning home can be daunting. If your loved one spent time in rehab or a nursing facility, they may have become accustomed to additional help with their activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.). Ensure the facility helps with a plan for transitioning to home and that all necessary equipment and modifications have been arranged before your loved one is discharged. 

Home care for an elderly loved one after a fall

Once your elderly loved one returns home after a fall, or if they have remained at home the whole time, there are specific care needs you will want to address. Use this as a guide to make a plan for their needs during recovery from a fall:

• Change where they sleep based on their pain level. If they must use stairs to reach their bedroom, move them to a different floor.
• Help with their medications, including picking them up from the pharmacy and reminding them to take them, especially if they have sustained a head injury.
• They may need help with personal care tasks such as toileting, bathing, and dressing, especially if they have broken bones, fractures, or increased pain.
• Prepare easily reheated meals, and ensure easy access to food and drinks.
• Have a plan for wound or skin care if they have surgical incisions, scrapes, or lacerations from the fall and cannot change wound dressings independently.
• Your loved one may be unable to drive, especially after a head injury or fracture; they will need to be cleared by their medical provider, so make a plan to get them to and from appointments and other essential places like the grocery store and pharmacy. 
• If your senior loved one lives alone, it may be necessary to stay with them or arrange for care and supervision while they recover from any injuries. Since they may have mobility or driving restrictions, visiting often or staying with them can help prevent them from becoming isolated during their recovery.

Pain management after a fall

Pain and soreness can be expected after a fall, and a medical professional should evaluate any injuries your elderly loved one may have sustained. Recommendations for pain management will vary based on injury and according to your loved one’s health care provider, but they may include:

• Application of ice and heat.
• Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Always check with your loved one’s health care provider before beginning new medications.
• A balance of rest and movement to promote healing and avoid becoming stiff. Follow all activity restrictions, especially after a fracture or surgery to repair broken bones.
• Use pillows or wedges to elevate injured limbs or relieve pressure from injured areas. Follow any movement or positioning restrictions from the health care provider, especially if your loved one had surgery or needs bracing.

These are just examples. Always follow your loved one’s health care provider’s instructions for pain management, including recommendations for any over-the-counter medications and movement restrictions. Straying from their instructions could result in further injury.

Fall prevention in the elderly

When falls happen, it can be easy to brush them off as a one-time occurrence. However, falls can become more frequent, especially with age, and discussing them with a health care provider and seeking help from professionals like a physical or occupational therapist can help reduce the chance of future falls. Fall prevention strategies will vary based on where your senior loved one lives and any mobility impairments or medical conditions they might have.