{"id":6234,"date":"2022-01-31T15:04:41","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T20:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.medicalalertadvice.com\/?p=6234"},"modified":"2022-02-01T07:26:07","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T12:26:07","slug":"how-to-get-up-after-a-fall-a-guide-for-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.medicalalertadvice.com\/articles\/how-to-get-up-after-a-fall-a-guide-for-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Up After a Fall: A Guide for Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

If you fall, the first step is to remain calm. The next step is to determine if you can manage getting up on your own. If you can’t, call for help.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

If you have ever fallen before, you already know it is a scary and vulnerable situation to be in. For many older adults, falling can cause serious health consequences, both physically and emotionally. However, feeling prepared with what to do immediately after a fall can help older adults feel empowered and confident should they find themselves on the ground after a slip, trip, or fall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Senior Falls: A Public Health Concern<\/b><\/h2>\n

While falling is not inevitable as you age, the risk of falling does increase each year. Millions of older adults fall each year. In fact, the <\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a> reports that more than 1 in every 4 seniors over the age of 65 fall each year, though that number is estimated to be low due to older adults not reporting all falls to their loved ones or physicians. For seniors who fall once, the chance to fall again doubles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Needless to say, older adult falls are a serious public health concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

About 20% of every senior fall <\/span>causes serious injuries<\/span><\/a>, like a broken bone or a traumatic brain injury. It is no wonder that about 3 million older adults end up in the emergency room for an injury that results from a fall each year, with about 800,000 of them being admitted to the hospital for further treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

But beyond the physical health complications that come from a fall, there are also serious emotional health challenges. For example, many people who fall become terribly afraid of falling again. This can cause them to limit their time out of their favorite chair and ambulate around their home as well as declining social events or taking their usual walk around the neighborhood. Falling quickly leads to sedentary behavior and isolation, which can end up increasing the risk of falling again. It\u2019s a vicious circle that can be difficult to get out of.<\/span><\/p>\n

Balance and Fall Prevention<\/b><\/h2>\n

The key to safe falling is to <\/span>prevent falling<\/span><\/a> in the first place. There are certain conditions that can increase the risk to fall, including dementia, Parkinson\u2019s disease and other neurological diseases, vision challenges, and lower body weakness. Having any difficulty with balance or safe walking gait can also drastically increase the risk of falling at home or while out and about.<\/span><\/p>\n

Good fall prevention protocol includes:<\/span><\/p>\n