What to do if you have a fall

Posted on 19 August 2014

Handy tips for the next time you take an unscheduled flight… down the stairs.

Falling is never a graceful act or an enjoyable one, unless you’re watching a fashion show in which case it can be both. Yet, for most of your life, having a fall (unless it’s head-over-heels in love) tends to damage your ego more than your elbow. However, as the years roll on and we become more distinguished, the possibility of falling to the pavement starts to become a rather serious threat. Inanimate objects begin attacking your feet more often, your knees become more wobbly than knobbly, and the chances of being tackled by an errant lamppost and going lights out have increased dramatically. Fear of falling is not uncommon among the elderly and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. To alleviate this anxiety, prevention, as always, is better than cure. Follow these three steps to help avoid a fall.

1 Know your surroundings
It’s important to take stock of the potential pit falls around your house. If you have carpets, invest in a nonslip rug pad. Put up grab bars where you need them, hand rails in the bathroom and balustrades along the stairs. When you’re in a non-familiar environment, hold someone’s hand and let yourself be guided where necessary.

2 Get the right equipment    
Good shoes are paramount. You’ll want a pair that are nonslip, comfortable, wide and supportive of your ankles. ‘If you suffer from a disorder that limits your mobility or if you’re older, you may wish to get a walking stick or a walker to get you from A to B,’ says Dr René Toua, clinical data and information manager at the Mediclinic Corporate Office. Should you need to go longer distances, such as to the shops, the park or bridge club, automated wheelchairs are perfect.

3 Take precautions
Speak to your doctor and family about your concerns. Make sure that you live in a comfortable environment. Always carry your cellphone with you and get a whistle to blow in case of emergencies. You may want to leave spare keys with a friend or ask a loved one to check in with you regularly to make sure you are okay.

What should I do if I fall?
Despite your best intentions, if you have a fall, follow these steps…

If you feel you can get up…
•  Take your time, breathe and assess where you hurt the most.
• Lie on your side, bend your top leg and push yourself slowly up onto your elbows, then push yourself onto your hands.
•  Attempt to pull or push yourself toward a sturdy object like a chair.
•  Roll over into a kneeling position and place both hands on the chair.
•  Place the stronger leg in front of your body, while holding onto the chair.
•  Using both hands, push off your stronger leg and stand up.
•  Carefully turn and sit down, then call for help.

If you feel you can’t get up…
•   If there is somebody nearby: call for help and first-aid treatment if required.
•   Use your cellphone, blow a whistle or hit a hard object to attract attention ??if no one is around.
•   Find your most comfortable position and try to keep warm using whatever clothing you have on hand if you have to wait for help to arrive.
•   And, most importantly, don’t panic.

What to do after a fall?
Don’t underestimate the seriousness of a fall. If you have any doubt, get proper medical attention straight away, especially if you have any of the following symptoms: loss of consciousness, strong lingering pain, nausea, dizziness, headaches, vision problems, lack of movement or overall weakness.

If you’ve managed to avoid serious injury, apply ice to any bruised areas immediately, rest and avoid unnecessary movement. Depending on the nature of your injury, you may want to use a crepe bandage to help immobilise the pain, as well as elevation to help reduce the swelling. Arnica, Deep Heat and over-the-counter painkillers can also help reduce any swelling and discomfort. Dr Toua advises you consult your doctor before taking any anti-inflammatory medication.

Always keep ER24’s 24-hour emergency number at hand: 084 124.

If you have questions on this post, or any other medical matter, please visit us on Facebook.

The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.