What to do if an Elderly Relative Falls

In the Fall 2022 edition of St. Barnabas Health System’s Faith & Works Magazine Dr. Joseph Maroon and Jeff Bost PAC wrote about fall risk as we age.  The article centers on a lesser known topic, What to do if an Elderly Relative Falls 2022. This is a very important topic for not only for a relative to know, but anyone who knows of an older person who has recently fallen.  A fall is often a sign of significant changes in health, both physical and mental, and should never be ignored.  In the article, they provide a Check List as to what steps should be concerned after the fall has occurred.

Read the FALL-RISK CHECKLIST HERE or go to the complete article HERE

  • First and most important, once you learn of a fall event, immediately seek appropriate medical help. If there are obvious injuries, pain, confusion, cuts, call 911 at once!
  • Often a fall can occur and the relative or caregiver does not learn about it right away. Look for signs of a fall. Is there evidence of bruising, fever, cuts, limping, confusion, broken items? Very often a person is embarrassed or afraid to reveal the fall. Even when directly asked, less than half will tell their doctor.
  • Be sure to have a list of medications and which, if any, had been taken the day of the fall. If insulin or other injectables are used, ask for the number of units and timing of the dosage. Certain medications like insulin, blood pressure and cardiac meds offer a greater fall-risk. Also ask about bleeding, especially GI bleeding in the stool since blood loss and anemia can increase falls.