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What to Do When Mom or Dad Falls at Home

ByAdministrator Developer

Falls are scary. Your first instinct is to rush over and pull them up. Stop. Take a breath. Moving them too fast can make things worse. Here is what to do, step by step.

Step 1: Stay calm and get down to their level. Kneel beside them. Talk to them in a calm, steady voice. Ask if they can hear you and if they are in pain.

Step 2: Do not move them yet. Check for signs of serious injury first. Look for bleeding, a bent or twisted limb, or complaints of hip or neck pain. If you see any of these, call 911 and wait.

Step 3: Call 911 if you are not sure. It is always better to call and not need help than to need help and not call. Paramedics are trained for this. You do not have to handle it alone.

Step 4: If they seem okay, help them up slowly. Bring a sturdy chair close. Ask them to roll to their side first, then push up to hands and knees. Help them move to the chair one step at a time. Never pull them straight up by the arms.

Step 5: Watch them closely for the next 24 hours. Even a fall that seems minor can cause hidden injuries. Watch for confusion, dizziness, new pain, or trouble walking. Call the doctor if anything seems off.

Step 6: Figure out why it happened. Was it a loose rug? Poor lighting? The wrong shoes? Falls usually have a reason. Fix the cause so it does not happen again.

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in older adults. If your parent falls more than once, talk to their doctor. There are programs that can help reduce the risk.

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