Senior Fall Injury Management: Critical First Aid Protocols

Senior falls frequently result in specific injuries requiring targeted first aid. This guide covers the most common fall-related injuries and their proper management.

Hip Fracture First Aid

Recognition: Signs include severe hip or groin pain, inability to bear weight, the leg appearing shorter or rotated outward, and pain when moving the hip.

Do Not

• Do not try to straighten or move the leg
• Do not try to help the person stand
• Do not move the person unnecessarily

Do

• Keep the person warm with blankets
• Call 911 immediately
• Stay with the person until help arrives
• Provide reassurance

Head Trauma First Aid

Recognition: Signs include headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, unequal pupils, drowsiness, and bleeding from the head or ears.

Action

• If the person is unconscious, check breathing and begin CPR if needed
• If conscious, keep them calm and still
• Apply gentle pressure to bleeding scalp wounds with sterile gauze
• Do not remove any object impaled in the skull
• Call 911—even for seemingly minor head impacts in seniors on blood thinners

Delayed Symptoms: Head injury symptoms can appear hours or days later. If the person develops confusion, vomiting, or severe headache, seek immediate medical attention.

Bleeding Wounds

Direct Pressure: Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth. If blood soaks through, add more cloth on top—do not remove the first layer.

Cleaning: After bleeding is controlled, clean the wound with water. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with sterile bandage.

Signs of Infection: Watch for redness, swelling, warmth, or pus in the days after injury.

Spinal Injury Precautions

When to Suspect Spinal Injury: Fall from significant height, fall with direct impact to head or back, the person complains of neck or back pain, numbness or tingling in extremities, loss of bladder or bowel control.

Critical Rule: Do not move the person if spinal injury is suspected, unless they are in immediate danger (fire, flooding, etc.). Wait for emergency medical services with proper spinal immobilization equipment.

Sprains and Strains

RICE Protocol

• Rest: Stop using the injured area
• Ice: Apply ice pack for 20 minutes, 3-4 times daily
• Compression: Wrap with elastic bandage
• Elevation: Raise the injured area above heart level

Takeaway

Knowing how to manage specific fall injuries allows you to provide effective first aid while waiting for emergency services. When in doubt, call 911—it is always better to err on the side of caution with senior falls.