Good Morning Readers,
So many patients getting Physical Therapy are getting help after a fall. I want to share this article from The National Institute on Aging:
What To Do After A Fall
When a caregiver (family member) witnesses a fall, proper and timely response is critical. In fact, taking the right actions at the right time could save a senior’s life.
A senior-friendly home helps to ensure safety and reduce the risk of falls. However, necessary home modifications are just one part of the equation. Caregivers also need to know the best ways to respond if a falling incident occurs.
One proactive approach is to have a Fall Response Strategy, detailing what to do immediately after a fall, and under which circumstances certain actions are to be taken. A sample response plan, for when an older person falls in the presence of a family member or other care giver, is provided below.
Do Not Move Someone Who Has Fallen
Caregivers need to resist the impulse to move a fallen person and understand that they should make no attempt to help them to get up right away. Moving someone who has fallen may make the situation worse, especially when the extent of possible injury is unknown.
Instead, the caregiver should first assess the person’s physical status, letting the results determine subsequent actions, as follows:
Status: Unconscious and Unresponsive
- Call 911 immediately
- Keep the individual as still as possible
- Check vital signs (respiration, pulse rate, skin coloring, pupil dilation, etc)
- Check for signs of bleeding and obvious injury (swelling, unusually positioned limbs)
- Depending on the degree of injury, apply basic first aid
- Stay by his/her side until medical help arrives
Status: Conscious and Alert
- Keep him/her comfortable, relaxed and as still as possible
- Ask if there is any discomfort, severe pain or throbbing in the head or light headedness
- Check for signs of bleeding and obvious injury (swelling, unusually positioned limbs)
- Depending on the degree of pain and injury, Apply First Aid and Call 911
- Offer calming reassurance; use soothing and comforting words
- If injury is not apparent, ask the person if he/she feels well enough to get up off the floor
In my Physical Therapy practice I see many clients who have had falls. After our initial Physical Therapy Evaluation, we set goals and work with our patients to keep them safe and help them learn new skills so falling is at a minimum. Integrative Therapy and Wellness, LLC is accepting new patients in the Phoenix area. Please contact me for more information at: kim@integrativetherapywellness.com
Thank you for Reading,
Kim Jacob, PT, CNDT, BCST
https://integrativetherapywellness.com
