Senior Fall Emergency Response: Stay Calm, Act Smart

Knowing what to do after a fall—especially if you are alone—can mean the difference between a minor incident and a serious emergency. This response plan helps you stay calm and act effectively.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess

Don't Panic: Take several slow, deep breaths. Panic increases heart rate and blood pressure, potentially worsening injuries. Tell yourself: "I am calm. I can handle this."

Assess Your Condition: Mentally check your body from head to toe:

• Can you move your fingers and toes?
• Can you feel all parts of your body?
• Is there any severe pain?
• Is there any bleeding?
• Are you thinking clearly?

Step 2: Check for Injury

If You Suspect Serious Injury: If you have severe pain, cannot move a body part, or suspect a fracture or head injury, DO NOT try to get up. Call for help immediately.

Signs of Hip Fracture: Severe hip or groin pain, inability to bear weight, leg appearing shorter or turned outward.

Signs of Head Injury: Headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, unequal pupil size.

Step 3: Get Up Safely (If Uninjured)

If you are not seriously injured and can move safely:

1. Roll onto your side
2. Push up onto your hands and knees
3. Crawl to a sturdy chair or sofa
4. Place your hands on the seat and push up
5. Turn and sit down
6. Rest before moving further

Step 4: Call for Help

Medical Alert System: Press your help button. Stay on the line until help arrives.

Phone: Keep a phone in every room or wear a mobile phone on a lanyard. Call 911 or a family member.

Attract Attention: If you cannot reach a phone, make noise: bang on a wall or floor, shout, use a whistle.

Step 5: Post-Fall Care

After any fall, even if you feel fine:

• Contact your healthcare provider
• Monitor for delayed symptoms (headache, pain, confusion)
• Arrange for someone to check on you for the next 24 hours
• Document the fall (what happened, where, what you were doing)

Takeaway

The key to fall response is staying calm. Assess carefully, don't rush to get up, and call for help if needed. Every senior should have a fall response plan and the tools to execute it (phone, alert device).