What to Do After a Fall: Immediate Steps and Recovery
A fall can be frightening and disorienting, whether it happens to you or a loved one. Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath — and in the days that follow — can prevent further injury, ensure appropriate medical assessment, and reduce the risk of future falls.
If you fall and cannot get up: Try to attract attention — use a personal alarm if you have one, call 999 if you have your phone, bang on the floor or wall, or call out. While waiting for help, try to keep warm — pull a blanket or clothing over you if you can reach one. Shift your weight periodically to prevent pressure sores. Do not exhaust yourself trying to get up if you are injured or cannot do so safely.
If you fall and can get up: Before trying, assess yourself for injury. If you have significant pain, particularly in your hip, back, or head, do not try to get up — call for help. If you feel able to get up, roll onto your side, then push up onto your hands and knees. Crawl to a sturdy piece of furniture (such as a chair). Place your hands on the seat, bring your stronger leg up to a kneeling position with foot flat on the floor, and push up with your arms and legs to sit on the chair. Rest and assess yourself for injury.
After any fall, seek medical assessment. Even if you feel fine, you may have an injury you are not aware of. Head injuries, particularly if you are taking anticoagulant medication, require urgent assessment. If you are over 65, have osteoporosis, or take steroids, even a fall without obvious injury warrants a check-up — fractures can sometimes be missed.
After the immediate aftermath, the focus shifts to prevention. Why did you fall? Was it a trip (environmental hazard), a slip (footwear or surface), a loss of balance, dizziness, or a fall without an obvious cause? Identifying the cause informs prevention. A comprehensive falls prevention assessment addresses all contributing factors, while our elderly physiotherapy service rebuilds the strength and balance needed to prevent recurrence.