For many of us, we may not be particularly familiar with what it is to be a “fall risk”. Assumptions may be easy to draw by the term itself (at risk of falls?). But it only takes one accidental spill of a loved one to quickly learn that overall safety may be what is really at risk. If you are providing care for an Elder loved one, the reality we need to understand is that as they progress in age the risk of falling in the home or outdoors is going to rise and if it happens we should know how to respond, what to look for and how to prevent it from happening again. In a recent article with AgingCare.com, Anne-Marie Botek offers an in-depth guide on how to safely pick up a loved one after a fall and we shall review the bullet points with you today!
Firstly, we need to assess if an injury has been suffered during the fall. If you are unable to determine if they HAVE been injured, it may be best to seek help from emergency services by dialing 9-1-1. If we can ascertain that they have not been injured, here are some guidelines for a safe pick-up back to an upright position-
- Remain calm and help them stay calm-slow deep breathing can be helpful
- Slowly work with the patient at their pace and be attentive if this fatigues them or they are not able to complete the motions
- Sturdy chairs can be moved adjacent to the fall victim to provide stability and support
- Assisting them and then a kneeling position can be a winning combination as we are getting back on our feet (the use of a towel will help with patients with knee issues)
- With the furniture before them while kneeling, instruct them to lean here for support
- With a second chair behind them, between their arms and kneeled leg, encourage them to push themselves upward and take a seat in the chair
- Help steady them and try not to maintain good posture
- Let their primary care physician know about the incident
You need not worry about the safety of your loved one while they are alone in their home because they do not have to be alone. A-1 Home Care specializes in Elder Care in Los Angeles and all of Orange County. Our trained and skilled Home Care Professionals will assure that they are safe and attended to. If they need help with medication schedules, meal preparation, transportation to doctor visits, or maybe just companionship and supervision – A-1 Home Care can help!
Established in the business for over 20 years, A-1 Home Care provides industry-leading In-Home Care services to fit your schedule. All our Caregivers come with professional experience, CPR certification, and current First Aid training. Give us a call today at 562-929-8400 or 949-650-3800 for a free quote or visit us at A-1Homecare.com.
