Category: Quick Guide / Aging Well

⚡ What to Do After a Fall

A fall can leave you frightened, disoriented, or unsure what to do next. Try to stay calm and don’t rush to stand up. Moving too quickly could make an injury worse or cause another fall.

Follow these steps to check yourself, get help, and reduce the chance of falling again.

Stay Still for a Moment

Before trying to move:

1. Take a few slow breaths.
2. Notice where you feel pain.
3. Check whether you’re bleeding.
4. Gently move your hands and feet if you can.
5. Pay attention to dizziness, weakness, numbness, or confusion.
6. Think about whether you hit your head, neck, back, or hip.

Don’t attempt to stand until you’ve checked yourself for possible injuries.

Call 911 When You May Be Seriously Injured

Call 911 if:

• You can’t get up
• You have severe pain
• You may have injured your head, neck, back, or hip
• You’re bleeding heavily
• You lost consciousness
• You feel confused or unusually sleepy
• You have new weakness or numbness
• A limb looks bent or out of position
• You have chest pain or difficulty breathing
• You feel too dizzy or unsteady to move safely

If you’re uncertain whether you can get up safely, remain where you are and call for help.

Take Head Injuries Seriously

Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you hit your head, even if you initially feel okay.

Get immediate medical help if you develop:

• A worsening headache
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Unusual sleepiness
• Difficulty speaking
• Weakness or numbness
• Vision changes
• Loss of consciousness
• Fluid or blood coming from your nose or ears

Head injuries can be especially serious for someone taking a blood thinner. The CDC advises older adults who hit their head during a fall to see a doctor right away. (CDC)

If You Can’t Get Up

Use your phone, medical alert device, smart speaker, or voice assistant to call for help.

If you can’t reach a device:

• Shout for help.
• Bang on the wall or floor.
• Trigger a car alarm with your keys.
• Move toward a phone only if you can do so without worsening an injury.
• Use clothing, a towel, or a blanket to stay warm.
• Change position gently when possible while waiting, unless movement causes pain or you may have injured your head, neck, back, or hip.

Don’t let embarrassment stop you from calling for help.

If You Feel Able to Get Up Safely

Only attempt to get up when:

• You don’t have severe pain
• You don’t feel dizzy or confused
• You can move your arms and legs
• You don’t believe you’re seriously injured
• You have something sturdy nearby for support

Then:

1. Roll onto your side.
2. Rest for a moment.
3. Use your arms to move onto your hands and knees.
4. Crawl slowly toward a sturdy chair or stable piece of furniture.
5. Place both hands on the stable surface.
6. Bring your stronger leg forward and place that foot flat on the floor.
7. Push up slowly using your arms and legs.
8. Turn carefully and sit down.
9. Rest before trying to walk.

Stop and call for help if you develop pain, dizziness, weakness, or difficulty moving.

These steps are consistent with guidance from the National Institute on Aging and the NHS.

If Someone Else Has Fallen

Don’t immediately pull or lift the person.

Instead:

1. Ask whether they’re hurt.
2. Encourage them to remain still while checking for pain.
3. Call 911 if they may be injured or can’t get up.
4. Keep them warm and comfortable.
5. Follow instructions from the emergency dispatcher.
6. If they appear uninjured, let them control their movements while you remain nearby.

Trying to lift someone from the floor can injure both of you.

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

Check Yourself Again After You’re Up

Once seated safely, check for:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Cuts or bleeding
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Difficulty moving a joint
• Confusion
• A new headache

Adrenaline can temporarily hide pain. Continue monitoring yourself over the next several hours.

Ask someone to stay with you or check on you if you’re concerned.

Tell Your Doctor About the Fall

Tell your healthcare provider about every fall, even if you weren’t seriously injured.

Write down:

• When and where you fell
• What you were doing
• Whether you felt dizzy or weak
• Whether you tripped or slipped
• What shoes you were wearing
• Whether you hit your head
• Any injuries or symptoms
• Any recent medication changes
• Whether you’ve fallen or nearly fallen before

The CDC recommends telling your doctor if you’ve fallen, feel unsteady, or are afraid you may fall. (CDC)

Look for What Caused the Fall

Possible causes include:

• Loose rugs or clutter
• Wet or uneven flooring
• Poor lighting
• Unsafe footwear
• Medication side effects
• Dizziness or low blood pressure
• Changes in vision
• Muscle weakness
• Balance problems
• Incorrect use of a cane or walker
• Rushing or carrying too much

Identifying the cause can help prevent another fall.

Make a Plan Before Another Fall Happens

Keep the following within reach:

• A charged phone
• Emergency contact numbers
• A medical alert device
• A flashlight
• A list of medications

Consider arranging daily check-ins if you live alone. You can also practice getting up from the floor with a physical therapist before an emergency occurs.

Quick After-a-Fall Checklist

• Stay calm and don’t rush to stand.
• Check for pain, bleeding, and possible injuries.
• Call 911 if you’re injured, can’t get up, or feel unsafe.
• Get up slowly only when you believe it’s safe.
• Sit down and check yourself again.
• Tell your doctor about the fall.
• Identify and correct what may have caused it.

Remember

A fall is important health information, even when it doesn’t cause a serious injury. Reporting it and understanding why it happened can help you protect your safety, confidence, and independence.