Getting up after a fall

 

I have posted about the causes of falling today I want to share some information about getting up after a fall.

It is important for people who may have a fall know how to get up after falling, also it is good for other people to know the best way to help someone up after a fall.

If you have fallen, lie still for a couple of minutes and check that you are not seriously hurt, slowly work your way up your body, carefully checking for pain or bleeding and slowly moving your limbs, one at a time.

Take your time.  Roll onto your hands and knees and look for a stable piece of furniture, such as a chair or bed.

If possible, find something soft to kneel on to protect your knees. Hold on to the furniture with both hands and use the furniture to assist you in getting up.

Bend up one leg and plant your foot firmly on the ground. Use the chair or furniture to carefully push yourself up. Take your time.

Remain supported with your head forward until you are sure you have properly got your balance. Carefully push yourself up to a standing position.

Take time to recover and phone someone to tell them what has happened.

If you are hurt after falling the first thing you need to do is try to get someone’s attention if out in public do this by calling out for help. If you have a phone and you should have one on you if falling is serious risk, call someone to help.

If your injury is bad as in maybe a broken bone or you are bleeding a lot, you should properly call for an ambulance.

If you are in your own home while waiting for help, try to reach for a blanket or dressing gown to keep you warm. Wrap yourself up to insulate yourself from the ground, especially keep your legs and feet warm. Try to stay as calm as possible.

One way to help someone up after a fall is to find two sturdy chairs. Place one next to the head and the other down by their feet. Keep in mind that they must be capable of doing the physical work required to get up. Your role is to help guide them through these steps and keep them steady, not lift their weight. If they cannot do this, then call an ambulance.

Help the person to roll over onto their side and assist them in getting onto their hands and knees. If they suffer from sore knees, place a towel beneath them to make this step more comfortable.

Move the chair closest to their head directly in front of where they are so they can rise up to place their hands evenly on the seat and assume a kneeling position. Get them to lean forward on the seat as they bring their strongest leg forward, leading with the knee to place their foot flat on the floor.

Move the second chair directly behind them, then ask them to use both their arms and legs to push themselves up and sit back into this chair. You can use your hands to keep them steady but keep your back upright and make sure they are doing the physical work to lift themselves.

I remember when my youngest sister or my brother had to help our dad up after a fall, they would stand behind him with a chair in front of him have him get his balance with foot flat on the floor, they would place their hands under his armpits and have him place his hands on then chair and push himself up.  By having their hands under his arms, it was easy for them to assist him as he was pushing himself up.