What to Do After a Fall

Category: Aging Well

What to Do After a Fall

A fall can be frightening, painful, and disorienting. Your first reaction may be to stand up immediately, especially if you feel embarrassed or want to prove that you are okay.

Stop and take a moment before moving. Some injuries are not immediately obvious, and trying to stand too quickly may make the injury worse or cause another fall.

Focus on three questions:

Are you in immediate danger?
Could you be seriously injured?
Can you get help?

Stay Still & Take a Breath

After falling:

Stay where you are for a moment.
Take slow breaths.
Try to remain calm.
Look around for traffic, fire, broken glass, water, or another immediate danger.
Notice how your body feels before trying to move.

Do not allow another person to pull you up quickly.

If you fell in a road, parking lot, near machinery, or another dangerous location, call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Check Yourself for Injuries

Before moving, check for:

Severe pain
Bleeding
Swelling
A limb that looks bent or out of place
Inability to move an arm or leg
Hip, back, neck, or head pain
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting
Confusion
Weakness or numbness
Difficulty breathing
Vision changes
Loss of consciousness

Move your hands and feet gently if you can do so without significant pain. Do not repeatedly test an area that may be injured.

You may not feel the full extent of an injury immediately because of shock or adrenaline.

Call 911 When Necessary

Call 911 if:

You hit your head
You lost consciousness
You may have broken a bone
You have severe pain
You cannot move normally
You have uncontrolled bleeding
You feel confused
You have difficulty breathing
You have chest pain
You feel sudden weakness or numbness
You have facial drooping or difficulty speaking
You cannot get up safely
You fell from a significant height
The fall involved a serious accident
You are unsure whether the injury is serious

Tell the dispatcher:

That you fell
Your location
Whether you are alone
Where you feel pain
Whether you hit your head
Whether you lost consciousness
Whether you take blood-thinning medication
Whether you can move
Whether the door is locked

Stay on the line and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Take Head Injuries Seriously

A head injury can occur even when there is no visible cut or bump.

The CDC advises older adults who fall and hit their head to receive prompt medical evaluation, especially if they take blood-thinning medications.

Blood thinners may increase the risk of bleeding inside the skull. These medications include certain anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs.

Tell emergency personnel if you take:

Warfarin
Apixaban
Rivaroxaban
Dabigatran
Edoxaban
Clopidogrel
Ticagrelor
Aspirin
Another medication intended to prevent blood clots

Do not stop the medication unless a qualified healthcare professional tells you to do so.

Seek immediate care after a head injury if you develop:

A worsening headache
Vomiting
Increasing sleepiness
Confusion
Slurred speech
Weakness or numbness
Difficulty walking
Vision changes
A seizure
Unequal pupils
Clear fluid or blood from the nose or ears
Loss of consciousness

Symptoms may appear later. Do not assume you are safe simply because you initially feel fine.

If You Cannot Get Up

Do not continue trying to stand if you are injured, weak, dizzy, or unsure.

Call for help using:

Your phone
A medical alert device
A smartwatch
A voice assistant
A nearby alarm
Shouting
Banging on a wall or floor

If help is coming:

Remain as comfortable as possible.
Cover yourself with a coat, blanket, towel, or rug if one is within reach.
Move gently from side to side if you are uninjured and able.
Move your arms and legs gently to help with circulation.
Place something soft under your head if it is safe to do so.
Stay away from broken glass, water, or another hazard.
Keep your phone nearby.
Unlock the door remotely if you can do so safely.

Do not crawl a long distance if you may have a head, neck, back, hip, or limb injury.

If you need to urinate while waiting and cannot reach a bathroom, use an absorbent item if one is within reach and roll away from the wet area when possible. Your safety is more important than embarrassment.

Decide Whether It Is Safe to Try Standing

Only consider getting up without emergency assistance if:

You did not hit your head
You did not lose consciousness
You do not have severe pain
You do not suspect a broken bone
You can move your arms and legs
You are not dizzy or confused
You can reach stable furniture
You feel physically able to try

If you are uncertain, remain where you are and call for help.

The National Institute on Aging recommends taking your time and getting up in stages only when you believe you can do so safely.

How to Get Up When You Are Not Injured

Take your time. Stop if you develop pain, dizziness, weakness, or difficulty moving.

Roll onto your side.
Rest while your body adjusts.
Use your arms to move onto your hands and knees.
Crawl or shuffle toward a sturdy chair, sofa, bed, or other stable support.
Place both hands on the stable surface.
Bring your stronger foot forward and place it flat on the floor.
Push through your arms and legs to rise slowly.
Turn carefully.
Sit down immediately.
Rest before attempting to walk.

Do not pull yourself up using:

A rolling chair
A lightweight table
A towel rack
A walker that may roll away
An unstable piece of furniture
Another person’s neck or arms

Another person should not attempt to lift you unless they are trained and can do so safely. Improper lifting can injure both people.

Sit & Recover

After getting up:

Sit somewhere stable.
Take slow breaths.
Check again for pain, bleeding, swelling, or dizziness.
Drink water if you are alert, can swallow safely, and have no medical restriction.
Avoid immediately returning to chores or errands.
Ask someone to stay with you if possible.
Keep your phone nearby.
Do not drive until you are confident that you are uninjured and steady.

Standing successfully does not prove that you were not injured.

Check for Injuries Again

Once you are seated, look for:

Bruising
Swelling
Cuts
Skin tears
Tenderness
Difficulty moving
New pain when bearing weight
Headache
Changes in balance
Confusion
Unusual tiredness

A hip, wrist, rib, or other fracture may not always be obvious immediately. Contact a healthcare professional if pain develops or increases.

Clean minor cuts with clean water and apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Seek medical care for deep wounds, contaminated wounds, uncontrolled bleeding, or signs of infection.

Tell Someone About the Fall

Even if you feel fine, tell a trusted person that you fell.

Provide:

Where it happened
When it happened
Whether you hit your head
Whether you were dizzy
Whether you have pain
Whether you are alone
Whether you need help getting home or moving around

Ask the person to check on you later.

Do not hide the fall because you feel embarrassed or worry that someone will question your independence. Reporting it creates an opportunity to prevent another fall.

Contact Your Healthcare Professional

Report the fall to your healthcare professional, particularly if:

It was your first fall
You have fallen more than once
You felt dizzy
You lost your balance without tripping
You recently changed medication
You have new weakness
You have pain or difficulty walking
You are afraid of falling again
You do not understand why the fall occurred

The professional may review:

Blood pressure
Medications
Vision
Hearing
Strength
Balance
Walking
Footwear
Medical conditions
Home hazards

A fall may be connected to a treatable problem. It should not automatically be dismissed as clumsiness or aging.

Write Down What Happened

Record the details while they are still fresh.

Include:

Date and time
Location
What you were doing
What surface you were walking on
Whether you tripped, slipped, or became dizzy
What shoes you were wearing
Lighting and weather
Whether you had eaten
Medications taken recently
Whether you were rushing
Injuries or symptoms
How you got help

This information can help identify patterns.

For example, repeated falls after standing may relate to blood pressure. Falls at night may indicate lighting, medication, vision, or bathroom-related concerns.

Monitor Yourself Afterward

During the next several days, pay attention to:

Increasing pain
New swelling or bruising
Difficulty walking
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting
Confusion
Unusual sleepiness
Weakness or numbness
Vision changes
Changes in behavior
Difficulty completing usual activities

Seek medical advice if new symptoms appear.

Call 911 for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, signs of stroke, significant breathing difficulty, chest pain, loss of consciousness, or another emergency.

Do Not Let Fear Stop All Activity

After a fall, it is normal to feel nervous about walking, leaving home, or using stairs.

Avoiding all movement may lead to weakness, stiffness, reduced balance, and greater fall risk.

Instead:

Resume activity gradually.
Use support when needed.
Follow medical instructions.
Ask about physical therapy.
Practice prescribed strength and balance exercises.
Use a cane or walker if recommended.
Ask someone to accompany you initially.
Choose familiar, well-lit routes.

Tell a healthcare professional if fear of falling is interfering with daily life.

Address the Cause

Look at why the fall happened.

Possible contributing factors include:

Loose rugs
Clutter
Poor lighting
Wet floors
Uneven pavement
Unsafe footwear
Weakness
Poor balance
Vision changes
Foot pain
Medication side effects
Low blood pressure
Dehydration
Alcohol
Rushing
An improperly fitted mobility device

Correct the immediate hazard when possible. Do not wait until someone falls again.

If you slipped on water, dry the floor and identify the source. If you tripped over a rug, remove or secure it. If dizziness contributed, contact a healthcare professional.

Prepare in Case You Fall Again

Planning ahead can reduce the amount of time you remain without help.

Consider:

Carrying your phone
Using a medical alert device
Wearing a smartwatch with fall detection
Keeping emergency contacts available
Using a lockbox for emergency access
Scheduling regular check-ins
Keeping a phone near the bed
Practicing how to call for help
Keeping blankets within reach
Avoiding locking the bathroom door when alone

Test devices regularly. A medical alert system cannot help if it is not charged, connected, or being worn.

Helpful Resources: Browse Fall Preparedness for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

If You Witness Someone Fall

Do not immediately pull the person up.

Instead:

Check for immediate danger.
Ask whether they are hurt.
Encourage them to remain still.
Call 911 when needed.
Keep them warm and calm.
Do not move them if you suspect a serious injury.
Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 911 and begin CPR if you are trained or follow the dispatcher’s directions.

Do not attempt to lift the person by yourself. Wait for appropriate assistance.

A Simple After-Fall Checklist

Immediately:

Stay still.
Take a breath.
Check for danger.
Check for injuries.
Call for help.
Do not rush to stand.

If you are uninjured and can rise safely:

Roll to your side.
Move to your hands and knees.
Reach stable furniture.
Bring one foot forward.
Stand slowly.
Sit and rest.

Afterward:

Check again for injuries.
Tell someone.
Report the fall to your healthcare professional.
Record what happened.
Monitor for delayed symptoms.
Correct the hazard.
Review your fall-prevention plan.

Final Thoughts

A fall can be a warning that something in your health, medication routine, footwear, mobility, or environment needs attention.

Stay still long enough to assess yourself. Call 911 if you hit your head, may be seriously injured, cannot get up safely, or develop concerning symptoms. Only attempt to stand when you are confident that you are uninjured and physically able.

Afterward, tell someone and contact your healthcare professional. Understanding why the fall happened is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent another one.