What to Do After an Elderly Parent Falls

About one in four older Americans falls each year, and fewer than half tell their doctor, according to the CDC. Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death among older adults. That's why a fall that "turned out fine" still deserves attention.

In the first few minutes

1. Don't rush to pull them up. Have your parent stay still and check for pain or injury before trying to move.
2. If they can't get up, or anything seems wrong, call 911. Keep them warm and comfortable while you wait.
3. If they feel able to get up, have them move slowly toward a sturdy chair or piece of furniture and use it to pull up, pausing if they feel dizzy.
4. Write down what happened as soon as you can: the time, where they were, what they were doing, and how they felt just before. Their doctor will ask.

Signs that mean emergency care

After a head bump, any of these should be treated as an emergency:

• Loss of consciousness, even briefly
• Vision changes
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Unusual sleepiness or sluggishness
• Severe pain, or being unable to get up

Warning signs over the next few days

Some injuries don't show up immediately. Watch for:

• Sleepiness or fatigue that gets worse
• A new headache
• New weakness on one side of the body
• Vomiting

If any of these appear, call their doctor right away, or 911 if symptoms are severe or getting worse quickly.

See the doctor, even if they seem fine

Health departments advise seeing a provider after any fall, even when there's no obvious injury. At the visit, share:

• Your written notes about the fall
• Any medications started or stopped recently
• Any recent hospital stay or procedure
• Changes in mood, stress, or daily routine

Lowering the odds of the next fall

The CDC's recommendations for older adults are simple and backed by evidence:

1. Talk to the doctor about falls, including near-misses and fear of falling.
2. Review medications with a doctor or pharmacist. Some medications can increase fall risk.
3. Get an eye exam every year and update glasses as needed.
4. Build strength and balance with programs like Tai Chi.
5. Remove hazards at home: loose rugs, clutter on stairs, poor lighting, and missing grab bars.

Fear of falling is common after a fall and can lead people to move less, which makes them weaker. Mention it to the doctor; there are ways to address it.

Keep the whole family on the same page

After a fall, siblings usually hear about it secondhand, days later, with details missing. In MyParentHQ, you can log what happened in Care Notes so everyone with access sees the same account, and your parent's medication list is ready for the doctor's question about recent changes. If the fall ends in an ER visit, the Emergency Packet puts medications, allergies, conditions, and emergency contacts on one screen.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you're unsure whether a fall is serious, call your parent's doctor or 911.