Senior Safety - What You Should Do when You Fall Down and 4 Things to Do Now Just in Case

If you have ever fallen, you know how frightening this can be and how many thoughts race through your mind. " Did I break my hip? Did I have a stroke? Will I ever be able to walk again? Am I still going to be able to live independently? What do I do now?"

All of these issues are important and need consideration, and unfortunately, sometimes a fall can leave someone totally helpless. Many times, however, knowledge and preparation can equip you with the tools to get yourself up off the floor after a fall or summon help even if you cannot move yourself. This article will teach you what to do when you fall down and what you can do now to help yourself if you should ever fall in the future.

If you feel yourself starting to fall:

• Try to land either onto your buttocks or onto your side.
• Remain calm as you assess your situation.

If you cannot reach the phone, do not have a mobile alarm system, and are alone, you need to try and get yourself up off the floor as soon as possible:

• If you happen to fall onto your back, gently bend your knees up so that your feet are flat on the floor then roll your body to one side, preferably toward the furniture, reaching with your arms and looking toward the direction of your turn.
• Once you are side-lying, you are in a better position to roll onto your stomach, get up onto your knees and crawl to the nearest stable piece of furniture.
• You can use a sturdy chair or sofa to pull yourself up by facing it squarely, bringing up the knee up of your strongest leg, leaving the other knee on the floor,placing both hands on the seat of the chair and pushing down with your forearms.
• Once you get up high enough, carefully rotate your body to sit on the chair or sofa.

Hopefully, once you have rested you will be able to call family, a friend, or an emergency contact to help you. If you are injured and unable to get to the phone, you are still in a better position being up in a chair than lying on the hard floor.

Here are 4 things you can do now to help yourself if you should ever fall in the future:

1. Be sure you have a portable phone or charged cell phone within your reach at all times.
2. Consider obtaining a mobile security alarm, such as a waterproof pendant or bracelet that is worn at all times and can summon help with a push of a button.
3. Arrange to check-in with a family member or a professional check-in service at the same time each day. If you miss a call, they will know something is wrong. Some local senior centers and hospitals offer this service free of charge or for a nominal fee. Also, there are several companies that will call you once or twice a day to check on you and can give you medication or treatment reminders.
4. If okay with your doctor, begin an exercise program for strengthening and balance. A regular walking program, Tai Chi, and water aerobics are good choices. Or ask you doctor for a referral to a physical therapist if you need a more customized program. Even 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference. If you should fall, you will be better equipped to handle the situation.

Many people who fall remain on the floor for prolonged periods of time and develop serious, often life-threatening complications such as severe skin breakdown, dehydration, and infections. Hopefully you will be among the 2 out of 3 seniors who do not fall this year. But, just in case, I hope you are well prepared and will know what to do.