When a loved one falls, the priority is assisting them safely without causing further injury to them or yourself. These non-emergency methods apply when the individual appears uninjured and is known to the caregiver. The core principle is utilizing the fallen person’s own strength and stable objects for leverage, rather than relying on the caregiver to manually lift their full weight. This approach minimizes the significant risk of back injury to the helper and prevents accidental harm to the person on the floor.
Assessing the Situation and When to Seek Help
A thorough assessment of the fallen person and the environment is the first step to ensure manual lifting is appropriate. Calm the individual and ask questions to check for injury and cognitive status. If the person reports severe pain, especially in the head, neck, back, or hips, or exhibits visible deformities, swelling, or bleeding, do not attempt to move them.
If the person seems confused, is unconscious, is unable to move their limbs, or shows signs of a stroke or cardiac event, call emergency services immediately. These signs indicate a potential severe injury, such as a head trauma or fracture, which could be worsened by movement. If you proceed, the person must be able to follow simple instructions and participate actively in the process.
Positioning the Person for the Lift
If the person is uninjured and can cooperate, safely maneuver them from a lying position to a kneeling or seated one. Encourage the person to rest for a few minutes to allow any dizziness or lightheadedness to pass before movement is attempted. The goal is to move the person onto their side, which is the necessary starting point for most assisted lifts.
Coach the person to roll onto their side using a modified “log roll” technique, which helps maintain spinal alignment. Ask them to bend the knee farthest from you and place that arm across their chest. Gently assist by supporting their shoulder and hip as they roll toward you. Once on their side, allow them to push up onto their elbow and then their hand, transitioning into a side-sitting position to rest.
Next, guide them onto their hands and knees, often called the “all fours” position. They should then crawl or scoot toward a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a solid chair, couch, or bed. The furniture must be stable and non-rolling, positioned so the person faces it with their hands on the seat or armrest for support. This sequential positioning prepares them for the final mechanical lift, focusing on using their own strength.
Safe Lifting Techniques
The final stage, often called the “Chair Method,” uses stable furniture to help the person push themselves into a standing or seated position. The lifter’s role is to provide stability and support, not to hoist the person’s full weight, which is the primary cause of caregiver injury. Stabilize the chair by placing one of your feet against a leg or bracing it with your body weight to prevent sliding.
Coach the person to place both hands firmly on the seat. They should then move one leg forward, placing the foot flat on the floor into a half-kneeling or lunge position. This posture prepares the body for the powerful standing phase using the legs.
Instruct the person to push up using their arms on the chair and their legs, transferring their weight upward. The caregiver must maintain proper body mechanics: keep your back straight, bend your knees, and stand with a wide, stable stance. Provide assistance by supporting the person at their hips or waist, ensuring the upward momentum comes from their leg muscles. Once standing or seated, allow them a moment to stabilize their balance before moving them further.
Immediate Follow-Up
Once the person is seated or standing, they need time to recover fully. Do not immediately rush them to resume activity; they should sit and rest for several minutes to ensure their blood pressure and balance are stable. Offer them a drink of water, if appropriate, and check how they are feeling.
Even if the person feels fine immediately, monitor them closely for the next 24 hours. Delayed symptoms, such as increasing pain, new confusion, persistent dizziness, or nausea, can indicate a slow-developing injury like a concussion or internal bleeding. Contact their primary care physician to inform them of the fall. A medical review can help identify underlying causes like medication side effects or changes in gait. Documenting the time, location, and suspected cause of the fall is also helpful for prevention.