What to Do When an Elderly Parent Falls
Your parent just fell. Your heart is racing. Take a breath. This guide will walk you through exactly what to do—from the moment it happens to preventing the next fall.
- They hit their head (especially if on blood thinners)
- They're unconscious or confused
- They can't move a limb or there's obvious deformity
- They're in severe pain
- They can't get up even with help
- There's significant bleeding
Step-by-Step: What to Do Right Now
1Stay Calm and Assess
Your calm demeanor will help keep your parent calm. Don't rush to move them.
- Ask: "Are you okay? Does anything hurt?"
- Look for obvious injuries: bleeding, swelling, deformity
- Ask if they hit their head
- Check if they're alert and oriented
2Don't Move Them Yet
If there's any possibility of a head, neck, or back injury, or if they're in severe pain, do not move them. Call 911 and wait for paramedics.
Keep them comfortable: put a pillow under their head, cover them with a blanket, and stay with them.
3Check for Injuries
If they seem okay initially, do a quick check:
- Can they move all limbs?
- Is there pain when they move?
- Any visible bruising or swelling?
- Did they lose consciousness, even briefly?
Call 911 Checklist
- Head injury (especially if taking blood thinners like Coumadin, Eliquis, Xarelto)
- Loss of consciousness
- Unable to get up
- Severe pain anywhere
- Suspected broken bone
- Confusion or altered mental status
- Difficulty breathing
- Bleeding that won't stop
How to Safely Help Them Up
Only help them up if they have no serious injuries and feel ready to try.
Safe Getting-Up Method
- Roll to side: Help them roll onto their side
- Get to hands and knees: From their side, help them push up to hands and knees
- Crawl to sturdy furniture: A chair or couch that won't move
- Place hands on furniture: Put their hands on the seat of the chair
- Bring one foot forward: Strongest leg first, foot flat on floor
- Push up and turn: Push up, turn, and sit in the chair
- Rest before standing: Sit for several minutes to prevent dizziness
- Lift them under their arms (can cause injury)
- Rush them—take it slowly
- Let them try to stand immediately
- Leave them alone if they're shaken or unsteady
After the Fall: What to Watch For
Even if your parent seems fine, monitor them closely for the next 24-72 hours:
Head Injury Warning Signs (Seek Care Immediately)
- Headache that gets worse
- Confusion or unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Vision problems
- Vomiting
- Unequal pupils
- Weakness or numbness
- Difficulty walking
- Excessive drowsiness
If your parent takes blood thinners (Coumadin/warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, aspirin), head injuries are more dangerous. Even a minor bump can cause bleeding in the brain that may not show symptoms for hours or days. When in doubt, go to the ER.
Delayed Symptoms to Watch For
- New or increasing pain
- Swelling or bruising that appears later
- Difficulty bearing weight
- Changes in mental status
- Signs of internal bleeding (pale skin, rapid pulse, abdominal pain)
Document the Fall
Record details while they're fresh—this helps doctors and can reveal patterns:
- When: Date and time
- Where: Specific location
- What happened: Tripped, slipped, felt dizzy, legs gave out?
- Injuries: Even minor ones
- Witnesses: Anyone who saw it
- Contributing factors: Wet floor, poor lighting, rushing, new medication?
When to See a Doctor
Schedule a doctor visit (even if not going to the ER) if:
- This is a new or increasing pattern of falls
- They've fallen 2+ times in the past 6 months
- They're afraid of falling again
- There was no clear reason for the fall
- They felt dizzy or faint before falling
- They recently started a new medication
Many falls are caused by: medication side effects, blood pressure changes, vision problems, inner ear issues, UTIs, or dehydration. A doctor can identify and address these root causes.
Preventing the Next Fall
After addressing the immediate situation, focus on prevention:
Immediate Home Safety Fixes
- Remove throw rugs or secure with non-slip backing
- Clear walkways of clutter and cords
- Improve lighting (especially at night)
- Install grab bars in bathroom
- Add non-slip mats in tub/shower
- Make sure handrails are on both sides of stairs
Medical Follow-Up
- Review all medications with doctor
- Check vision and hearing
- Assess for balance and gait problems
- Consider physical therapy for strength and balance
- Discuss whether a walker or cane would help
Consider a Medical Alert System
A wearable alert button can be lifesaving if they fall when alone. Many systems now automatically detect falls and call for help.
Fall Prevention Checklist
Get our room-by-room home safety assessment to prevent future falls.
Read the Guide