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What causes a fall?
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Can a fall be a sign of a new or worsening health condition?
Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable and likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. Falls are a common, but often overlooked, cause of injury. Around 1 in 3 adults over 65 and half of people over 80 will have at least one fall a year.
- Osteoporosis
It happens when the bones in the spine have broken, making...
- Osteoporosis
- Checking For Injuries
- Getting Up from A Fall
- Calling For Help
- Keeping Warm
- Keeping Moving
- Keeping Hydrated
- Tell Your GP Practice
- Where to Start If You’Ve Had A Fall
- Treating Minor Injuries
- What to Do If Someone Else Falls
The first thing you need to do after a fall is work out if you’re hurt. Take a few minutes to check your body for any pain or injuries, then: 1. if you’re not hurt, try to get up from the floor 2. if you’re hurt or unable to get off the floor, call for help and keep warm and moving as best you can while you wait
If you’re not hurt and feel well enough, you could try to get up from the floor. The best way will differ from person to person, but as a guide, you can: 1. Roll onto your side. 2. Push yourself up to a side sitting position. 3. Slowly get onto your hands and knees. 4. Crawl towards a sturdy piece of furniture that can support you to get up – such ...
You should call for help if you’re hurt as attempting to get up could make your injury worse. You may also need to call for help if you’re unable to get up yourself. To call for help: 1. use a community alarm, if you have one 2. use a phone to call a relative, friend or neighbour. If you’re injured, phone 999 and ask for an ambulance. If you’re not...
After calling for help, it’s important to keep warm as you may be at risk of developing hypothermia To keep warm: 1. Move onto a carpet, rug or other soft surface. Hard surfaces like tiles and stone floors are often colder and take longer to warm up. If you have to empty your bladder while you’re on the floor, move away from the wet area. 2. Reach ...
You should also attempt to keep your body moving as best you can. Lying in one position for too long can make you stiff, sore and damage the skin. Moving your body, even gently, will keep you warm, focused and calm until help arrives. If you can, try to rock from side to side. If it hurts to move, stop.
If you’re on the floor for a long time, you could become dehydrated. If you have a glass or bottle of water within reach, you can take small sips from it.
Regardless of whether this is your first fall, or you fall regularly, it’s important to tell your GP practice, or other health professional – such as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist. Many underlying causes of falls can be treated or corrected. Learn more about when and where to get help
Think about what you might do if you had a fall: 1. would you know how to get up from the floor, or summon help? 2. do you currently have a falls plan? 3. what changes can you make that might help? 4. how will you make these changes? 5. who do you need to talk to?
If you’ve hurt yourself during a fall, you can find treatment advice for muscle, bone and joint injuries.
It can take a few minutes to feel pain from injuries. If someone else falls it’s important to reassure them, and assess the situation together, before you act. Find out more about what to do when someone falls in this leaflet (PDF, 1 MB).
Sep 13, 2024 · Making sure your home is well-lit is one of the most overlooked ways to prevent a fall, Whittington said. “Many falls happen at night or in dimly lit areas. Adding night lights or brighter bulbs in key areas, especially in hallways, bathrooms, and stairs, can drastically reduce the risk of a fall.”
Jun 18, 2024 · Falls are usually caused by an interaction of a number of risk factors. The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk of falling. Falls prevention is about recognising, and where possible, taking action to reduce the risk.
Jul 18, 2022 · When you start to fall, you might feel it coming. Your balance is suddenly off and you begin to stumble. Or you slip on something and feel yourself going down. When this happens, your body immediately releases adrenaline, which is meant to get you moving fast to avoid danger.
Jun 18, 2024 · What’ll happen next? If you seek advice and support after a fall, or have concerns about falling, it’s most likely that you’ll be offered a ‘home and person’ falls risk screen. The purpose of the screen is to: listen to what you think the problem could be; try to work out why you’re falling
Aug 10, 2023 · Symptoms. Lower back injuries. What to do. When to see a doctor. Summary. If your back pain symptoms get worse or don’t improve within a few days after a fall, your doctor can help identify...
