Senior woman accidentally falling
First Aid for Trips and Falls
Falls are a major cause of older people needing to be admitted to hospital. They can have a major impact on their confidence and future mobility. Older people frequently fracture their hips as part of the fall. They may result in them losing their independence and needing to be cared for.
Older people are at a far greater risk of falling. This is often due to them failing to identify risks and being fiercely independent.
If they begin to get muddled and confused that also puts them at a greater risk. Home hazards are frequently a cause of accidents.
Examples of Home Hazards:
- Loose stair carpets and rugs
- Poorly fitting footwear and slippers that no longer have sufficient grip
- Low light can sometimes be a hazard due to their eyesight beginning to fail
- They may fail to see the top step of the stairs or tripping over things that they had placed in a dangerous position.
If they have an urgency to go to the toilet, this can result in them rushing. If it is too late, they might on a wet floor.
Medication to reduce high blood pressure can result in them feeling dizzy if they get up too quickly and causing them to wobble or possibly collapse. Anyone on blood pressure reducing tablets should be encouraged to get up very slowly whilst holding onto something.
Carers should consider all these risks. They should work with the person they are caring for and with any external organisations to assess the likelihood of falling and minimise the risks.
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Approach them calmly and reassuringly be alert to any dangers to either you or the casualty
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Do not rush to move them. Get onto the floor so you are the same level as them and immediately assess:
- are they responsive?
- Not responsive – are they breathing?
- They are breathing. Look closely how they have fallen and carefully put them into the recovery position to keep their airway clear
- They are not breathing: start CPR immediately and act according to your organisation’s emergency policy. Request a defibrillator immediately if there is one available.
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If the person is responsive
- Talk to them. Try and ascertain the events of the accident and if there could be any medical cause such as a fit or stroke.
- Try and work out where it hurts most and look at them closely to see if there is any obvious bleeding, bruising or contorted limbs indicating a particular injury.
- If they are conscious and you think they may have fallen from a height or could have injured their neck or spine – Do not move them. Try and keep them as still as possible and discourage them from twisting. Phone an ambulance and calmly keep reassuring them until paramedics arrive.
- If you are aware of any bleeding apply firm pressure with a clean pad whilst awaiting the First Aid kit.
- If they start to show signs of clinical shock – lie them back and raise their legs and get medical help
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If there is no obvious injury or medical cause for the fall
- Carefully and very slowly help them into a sitting position – watch them carefully for any signs of pain, discomfort or dizziness
- With help, carefully assist them into a chair, or back to bed.
- Very carefully and reassuringly check them over completely to ensure that there is no unseen injury – this is particularly important with diabetics when they may not feel where they have hurt themselves.
- Monitor them carefully for the next 24 hours, inform their next of kin and fill in an accident form.
First Aid for life provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. We strongly recommend that you attend a practical or online first aid course to gain vital skills to help in an emergency. These can be accessed from firstaidforlife.org.uk or www.onlinefirstaid.com
my aunt is seated on a chair when she stood up and fell on her butt. i tried to pull her up and assisted her to sit down and a little later assisted her to. lie down. She can still bend her knees ans return them to a flat position. Should i put a hot compress on her right thigh where her weight was when she fell on the floor?
Dear Lilit, I do hope your aunt is okay. If you are concerned in anyway please seek medical advice. A wrapped cold compress is preferable to a warm one to reduce bruising. Best wishes Emma
her odoctor asked us to bring her for xray. she was given tramal ampule 50mg/ml for her trauma. she didn’t have any fracture. thank GOD, we were sent home in the afternoon of the same day
Emma how are you if had fallen almost 8 weeks ago I working to get better what do about it it not healed much I like know what the cause from it.
I fell down and hurt my left side flank. What are the chances? I called an ambulance and they just checked me and told me to rest for 2weeks and take paracetamol.
I fell down by missing a step in my country house in India. No doctor or hospital nearby. Seemed to have hurt my left leg in the thigh area. Cannot walk or put any pressure on my left leg. Can bend my knee but find it painful. Any advice.?
yes rest it and take paracetamol
I would like to know the answer please
Hi
I tripped and fell flat on my face on Saturday and got grazes on my forehead, and a pimple on my forehead started bleeding also. My forehead graze is actually quite sore. I cleaned the wounds, and put a bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a towel on the wound. I also put some arnica on the graze last night.
Have you any other suggestions? How long should it take for the grazes on my face to heal up?
I had a fall yesterday when I tripped ovdf a raised pavement. I hit the left hand side of my face which very quickly swelled up around my eye and forehead and my eye is slightly closed due to bad bruising. Do I need to go to CAsualty?
Dear Joan, I am so sorry to hear about your fall. It does sound like you should see a health professional and be checked out. A wrapped ice pack will help reduce some of the bruising, but you clearly hit your head pretty hard. A minor injuries centre will be able to help. I do hope you feel better soon. Best wishes Emma
Hi,
5 hours ago I fell down in draivway-in my hip,,it,s severe pain now what should i put – ice or heat
thanks
Dear Katerina, I do hope you are okay. Ice initially for the first 24 hours after the injury and then heat when you are ready to mobilise. I hope you are better soon. Emma
Hello.. I have been having a swollen head for over 5yrs nw which was a result of me hitting my head on the floor… What can i use to supress the swollen part
Dear Caleb, thank you for your message. I think it highly unlikely that the swelling is still due to an injury you sustained 5 years ago. I would suggest you visit your doctor and get it investigated. Very best wishes Emma
Hello…
My neighbor fell down from stairs due to sleepy stairs bcoz of Rain…Before 2 hours Swelling not present ….. only pain over buttocks .. Which pack should Recommend … Cold or Hot ..
Dear Ankita, a wrapped ice pack to reduce swelling and please get them checked out if you are worried. Best wishes Emma
Hi
My mom fallen down at bathroom but she is in concious I took her too bed slowly she slept for while then i take her for bath then she had tea and biscuit after that She take and breakup fast and her tablet of cold and bp
Over day she dnt feel any injuries
What would be your suggestion for these
Dear Soniya, so sorry to hear about your mom. It soundsl like she is okay, but I would always recommend you get her checked over by a health professonal. Best wishes Emma
My 10 Yr old fell on her bk off the swing she says it sore but she got up and came upstairs to tell me ahold I be worried
Oh dear – how is she today? X
I elder brother fell from roof .he is uncounsness .first aid plz
What can I do as a senior carer if I found out my client is naked?
Hi miss Ema can you help me on this?, I fell and hit the back of my head one year ago and when I fell because of slippery varanda both my hands and legs including my neck raised up for some few minutes I was holding a sauspan going to the kitchen and it also didn’t fall, after they have gone back to normal, i woke up and continued with what i was doing but at night I started hearing sounds in my brain like sounds from factory and for some two days it disappeared, but lately this year, I started experiencing heart palpitations, light headache in the middle of my head, high blood pressure, could it be that it’s the cause of my health problem
My neighbor fell and hit her arm on her coffee table. Her arm got really really swollen and we don’t know what to do.
Dear Nayeli, so sorry to hear about your neighbour. I would suggest you apply a wrapped ice pack and elevate her arm and then get her to hospital for an x-ray in case she has broken it. I do hope she is better soon. Very best wishes Emma
What t o do for swelling?
My sister 70 yrs old fell when she got up from bed, bruised forehead and little bit on the eye. Put cold compress already for a couple of hours. Should we do hot compress now to take care of swelling
Dear Dolores, so sorry to hear about your sister. To reduce swelling it is best to use a wrapped ice pack
Sory my young brother has fallen from a mango tree and has abdominal discomfort, what should I do as our health center is very far
So sorry to hear about your brother. Please get him checked out as abdominal discomfort following a fall should always be investigated.
Hello, i slipped yesterday and fell face down, had bruises on both knees, and also on the lower abdomen. I have rested, but I still have back lumbar pain. Should I be worried with my bruises, specially on the lower abdomen? I am still observing if this will swell or if discomfort occurs
Dear Danica, So sorry to hear about your accident. Please contact your doctor and ask them to check you over.
I fell and hit the back of my head one year ago and when I fell because of slippery varanda both my hands and legs including my neck raised up for some few minutes I was holding a sauspan going to the kitchen and it also didn’t fall, after they have gone back to normal, i woke up and continued with what i was doing but at night I started hearing sounds in my brain like sounds from factory and for some two days it disappeared, but lately this year, I started experiencing heart palpitations, light headache in the middle of my head, high blood pressure, could it be that it’s the cause of my health problem
Hi Dr. Emma, I have some questions and would love to hear from u soon. 1)What to do if a child or an adult stuck something in his/her mouth? 2)And how to handle a situation at the time of emergency call? 3)What to do when a child or an adult fall from stairs? Thank you so much. Regards, Irene
Dear Irene, I am not a doctor, but a nurse. Are you asking about choking? We have some great blogs on this https://onlinefirstaid.com/child-choking-2/
We also have information on falls https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/9-top-tips-to-prevent-falling-and-first-aid-advice-if-we-fall/
https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/need-ambulance-recognising-something-seriously-wrong/
An uncle of mine fell from the roof house while trying to put the roofing sheets,he kept shouting that his head was too hot and that he was feeling drowsy…he was rushed to the clinic and was given an injection,wat cud the injection be?
Thank you for your message, but I am afraid without seeing your uncle’s medical notes I have no idea what he was given. Your best bet is to follow up with his family doctor or ask at the hospital.
Hi doc, my daughter had a fall and hit her chest on the floor what kind of medication should I give what kind of food should I give to her
Dear Kate, if your daughter needs medication or special food following her fall, please take her to see a doctor.
Dear Chris, I am so sorry to hear about your recent fall. Pain and bruising is to be expected after such an incident, but if it doesn’t get better or if it starts to get worse, please get checked out. Best wishes and hope you are better soon Emma
Hi, I slipped in the shower today, hitting my back hard on the fancy designer faucet my landlord fitted to the bath.I lay there for a few seconds in shock, I suppose and saw immediately on looking into the mirror, a dark red bruising about seven inches long and two wide. I went out to town with my son afterward and experienced no pain just tenderness and a sickly dull pain down my left arm (the blow was to my left side, about midway down). I didn’t relate the arm pain to the injury until I got home. Could I have a rib fracture or something?
Dear Heather, you could just have deep bruising, or have done more damage. The only way to know for sure is to get checked out and have an x-ray. Best wishes Emma
Hi my name is Cheryl earlier today I fell down the last two steps at a church I didn’t remember hitting my head but hurt the whole right side of my body and foot that in the past I factured and then in Christmas I sprained real bad I am 57years I tried enpone sait I tried ice off and on do you think I should not to bed or to ER ty
Dear Cheryl, I would definitely go and get checked out. Hope you recover quickly. Best wishes Emma
worker fell 30 foot out of tree. says lower right back and right leg is hurting, his hands and feet are clinching up. he is conscious and responsive. refusing ambulance and hospital attention
Please persuade him to get checked out
4 days ago, I fell on sidewalk face down with my glasses on. Bloody bruise on forehead, bloody finger, knee. Went to urgent care. Had tetnus shot and bandages. I have bad black/ burgundy bruising on forehead, complete eye area, nose, cheeks are dark grey all way to below lip area. Worried about dark grey cheeks from nose to ears ! Will this eventually go away ? I used ice, next day heated chamomile tea bags. Please advise.
So sorry to hear about your accident. A wrapped ice pack is best to reduce bruising as it constricts the blood vessels. Warm tea bags will dilate the blood vessels once more
I do hope he is okay. It sounds like he should be seen by a doctor again. I know it is difficult times, but I would recommend you contact the doctor again tomorrow. Best wishes Emma
Hi – 3 days ago, I fell down the last 3 steps of stairs and fell face down on my chest, shielding my face with right arm. Only slight swelling on right hand and wrist. Pain in my knees, right hand and wrist and left side especially at night. I managed to get up with a little difficulty. Sat for a while and continued normally. I am 65.
Dear Anne-Marie, So very sorry to hear about your fall. From what you say, it sounds like you are bruised and sore. If you are not getting better within a couple of days, or if anything gets worse, please contact your GP. Really hope you feel better soon. Emma
My father fell today he slipped and fell on his butt and elbow and i got him up to bed but when he tried to walk he couldn’t his legs and back hurt what should I do? Get him to the doctor?
Please get him checked out. Hope he makes a full recovery quickly. Best wishes Emma
My 1year plus old boy accidentally slip on the tiles floor and hit his back head on the floor. But the head was swollin up pls what can I do pls help me.
So sorry to hear about your son. Applying a wrapped ice pack to the lump on his head will reduce the swelling. The most important thing though is to keep a close eye on him for any signs of a serious head injury and get him checked out if you are worried.
My mom slipped and fell down the stairs today due to the rain from the hurricane, when she trys to lift her arm theres a lot of pain in her back she fell down 7 stairs before catching herself she has lots of bruising and is having a lot of trouble getting off her bed we tried putting ice numbing cream and she dosent want to go to the hospital due to the virus i was wondering if there is anything i can do to possibly help her recover faster.
So sorry to hear about your Mum. It sounds like she should be seen by a doctor. Please contact them and they should be able to undertake a video examination if your mum is adamant she won’t go to hospital. However they can’t X-ray remotely and she may need to go in. There should be Covid free zones in the hospital, for just such emergencies
My grandmother Falled from my bed while sleeping , everytime we move her her left side hurts and her stomach hurts I don’t know what to do pls tell us we cant go to the hospital since there are Covid patients there and we might get the virus.
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My uncle fell from a ladder up high down to the Floor on his back..what should I do to assist him quickly
he says feels like he is gonna vomit blood somehow.. he cant walk and his stomach is bloating,
something with his spinal cord too. And he feels there is something very wrong inside with his lungs or something
Help please
my carer slipped on wet floor panels outside and landed on her bone on her back she cant orderly walk she is finding it in a lot of pain and she cant bend down to pick anything up of the ground can I have some advise pls