This guide addresses situations where an adult or elderly person has fallen, is conscious, and does not have an immediate medical emergency but cannot get up alone. Assisting someone from the floor requires careful planning and technique to ensure the safety of the fallen person and to prevent injury to the helper. Safety for both individuals is the primary concern before any attempt at physical assistance is made.
Initial Safety Assessment
The initial step is to determine if the fall has caused an injury that makes moving the person unsafe. Begin by calmly speaking to the person to assess their level of consciousness and orientation, which also helps to reduce any anxiety or shock they may be experiencing. Ask them to describe what hurts and if they can move their arms and legs slightly.
Visually check for obvious signs of trauma, such as heavy bleeding, a head injury, or a visibly rotated or deformed limb that might indicate a fracture. If the person reports severe pain, especially in the head, neck, or back, or exhibits symptoms like confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, or an inability to move a limb, do not attempt to move them yourself. Immediately call for emergency medical services and keep the person still and comfortable until professional help arrives. Only proceed if the person is cooperative, alert, and states they are uninjured or have only minor discomfort.
Essential Techniques for Safe Assistance
Once you have confirmed that moving the person is safe, the goal is to use leverage and available furniture, not brute strength, to get them upright. A sturdy, non-rolling chair is an ideal tool for this process. Have the person roll from their back onto their side, assisting by gently pushing at their hips and shoulder.
Next, guide them into a hands-and-knees position, which is a stable intermediate point. Encourage them to crawl toward the stable piece of furniture, like a chair or a sofa, and place their hands firmly on the seat for support. Have them slide one foot forward so it is flat on the floor, keeping the other knee on the floor in a kneeling lunge position.
From this kneeling stance, the person should push up using their arms on the chair and their front leg, while you provide support from behind or to the side. If the person is able, they can then turn and sit directly onto the sturdy chair. For the “chair method,” you can bring a second chair in front of them to act as a second handhold, allowing them to rise into a standing position with greater stability. All movements should be slow and controlled, with you communicating each step clearly to ensure coordination.
Protecting the Helper: Proper Body Mechanics
The principles of proper body mechanics focus on engaging the strongest muscle groups to manage the load. When helping the person push up, maintain a wide stance with your feet shoulder-width apart and one foot slightly forward to establish a stable base.
Keep your back straight and avoid twisting your torso; instead, pivot your feet to turn. The power for the lift should come from bending your hips and knees, as if performing a squat, and then driving up with your quadriceps and gluteal muscles. Keep the person as close to your body as possible to minimize the strain on your back and arms. Clearly explain the plan and coordinate the movement by counting down, such as “on the count of three,” so that you and the person move simultaneously, sharing the effort.
Follow-up Care and Preventing Future Falls
After successfully assisting the person to their feet, encourage them to sit quietly for a few minutes to recover and allow their blood pressure to adjust. This helps prevent immediate lightheadedness or a secondary fall. Monitor them closely for the next 24 hours for delayed symptoms such as increasing pain, new bruising, or confusion, which may indicate a less obvious injury. Any fall, even one without apparent injury, should be reported to a healthcare provider to assess for underlying causes.
Proactive steps can significantly reduce the likelihood of future falls:
- A healthcare professional should review all medications, as certain drugs can cause dizziness or affect balance.
- Environmental modifications in the home address common trip hazards, such as removing loose rugs and clutter and ensuring adequate lighting.
- Install grab bars in bathrooms and other areas where stability is needed.
- Regular exercise focusing on strength and balance, such as Tai Chi or specific physical therapy, is highly effective in improving stability and reducing fall risk.