How do you get an elderly person out of the floor? A Safe Step-by-Step Guide

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls among older adults are common and costly, with one in four older adults reporting a fall each year. Knowing how do you get an elderly person out of the floor safely is a critical skill for caregivers and family members, ensuring their loved one's health and dignity are protected.

Quick Summary

Helping a senior who has fallen requires a calm, deliberate approach that prioritizes checking for injuries before attempting any movement. The process involves safe positioning, utilizing sturdy furniture or specialized lifting aids, and employing proper body mechanics to prevent harm to both the fallen person and the caregiver.

Key Points

• Assess for Injury: Always check for head, neck, or back pain before moving the person. If severe injury is suspected, call emergency services immediately.

• Stay Calm and Reassure: A calm demeanor helps ease the person's stress and ensures clear communication during the process.

• Use Proper Lifting Technique: Rely on leg strength, keep your back straight, and move slowly to protect both yourself and the person you are assisting.

• Utilize Sturdy Supports: A heavy chair or table can provide necessary leverage and stability during a self-assisted or assisted lift.

• Consider Assistive Devices: For those who fall frequently or have significant mobility issues, tools like transfer belts or lift chairs offer a safer alternative to manual lifting.

• Prioritize Fall Prevention: Proactive measures such as home modifications, regular exercise, and medication reviews are essential for long-term senior safety.

Immediate Actions: Assess and Prepare

Before you even consider how to lift an elderly person from the floor, a few critical steps must be taken. Your first priority is to ensure the safety of the fallen person and to assess for any injuries. Acting calmly is essential to prevent panic.

Stay Calm and Communicate

Immediately address the person on the floor. Speak in a calm, reassuring voice. Ask them what happened and if they are in any pain. A simple phrase like, "I'm here to help, just tell me if anything hurts," can provide immense comfort.

Assess for Injuries

Never rush to move someone who has fallen, especially if they are disoriented or complaining of pain. Look for visible injuries such as cuts, bruises, or swelling. Ask specific questions about pain in their head, neck, or back. If you suspect a serious injury, such as a head trauma or fracture, do not attempt to move them. Instead, keep them as comfortable as possible, cover them with a blanket to prevent shock, and call for emergency medical services immediately.

Clear the Area

If there are no apparent serious injuries and you are proceeding, take a moment to clear the immediate area. Remove any objects that could be in the way, such as rugs, coffee tables, or other furniture. This ensures a clear path for movement and prevents further falls or accidents during the lifting process.

The Safe Self-Assisted Method

If the senior is conscious, not seriously injured, and can follow instructions, they may be able to assist in their own recovery. This technique is often the safest as it minimizes the risk of injury for both parties.

1. Roll onto the Side: Gently instruct the person to roll onto their side. This can be done by bending the knee closest to the ceiling and using their arms to assist the roll.
2. Move to a Kneeling Position: Encourage them to push up onto their hands and knees. They should move slowly to avoid dizziness.
3. Crawl to a Sturdy Chair: Guide them to crawl towards a stable, heavy chair. Positioning the chair in front of them provides a secure anchor point.
4. Use the Chair for Leverage: With their hands firmly placed on the seat of the chair, they can move one foot forward so they are in a kneeling lunge position.
5. Push to a Standing or Sitting Position: With your assistance and support from the chair, they can push up to a standing position or turn and sit on the chair. Be ready to support and stabilize them as they rise.

How to Assist a Fallen Senior with Caregiver Support

When an elderly person cannot assist in their own lift, a caregiver can provide vital support using proper body mechanics. This prevents injury to both the senior and the caregiver. Remember, if the person is too heavy or unable to follow instructions, a lift-assist device or professional help is the best option.

The Hands-and-Knees Technique with Assistance

• Get into Position: Kneel on the floor close to the person. This places you at their level and keeps your back straight. One foot should be slightly ahead of the other for a stable base.
• Encourage and Position: Help them gently roll onto their side, then to their hands and knees.
• Use Leg Strength: Place your arms under the person's arms and around their torso. Engage your core and use the strength of your legs to lift, keeping your back straight. Your legs, not your back, should do the work.
• Pivot to a Chair: Once they are partially lifted, you can pivot slowly towards a chair. Use short, controlled movements and avoid twisting your back.

Using Equipment to Assist

For individuals with limited mobility, frequent falls, or for caregivers who cannot safely perform a manual lift, specialized equipment is the best solution. These devices greatly reduce the risk of injury.

Comparison of Lifting Methods and Equipment

| Feature | Manual Lift (Hands-and-Knees) | Transfer Belt | Sit-to-Stand Lift | Lift Chair | Key Advantage | Lower risk of strain for caregiver | Increased stability and grip during transfers | Safe, controlled, powered lifting | Prevents falls by assisting standing from a seat | Best For | Mobile seniors without serious injuries | Assisting with small transfers and re-positioning | Individuals with significant mobility issues or heavier weight | Daily living, moving from a seated to a standing position | Disadvantage | High risk of strain if done incorrectly or for heavy individuals | Still requires some physical effort from the caregiver | Requires training to operate and can be expensive | Requires a dedicated piece of furniture | Post-Fall Use | Only for minor, uninjured falls | Limited for floor-based recovery; best for mobility assistance | Ideal for lifting a person from the floor | Can be used to assist standing after repositioning on the chair | Prevention | Minimal prevention, focused on recovery | Can be used for assisted transfers to prevent falls | Can reduce fall risk during transfers | Significantly reduces fall risk during standing and sitting | Emergency | Not for medical emergencies | Not for major medical emergencies | Can be used safely after assessment if no major injury | Can provide rest after a fall | Cost | Free (requires no equipment) | Low-cost | High-cost | High-cost |

What to Do After the Person is Up

Once the person is safely off the floor and sitting down, do not rush them. Allow them to rest and collect themselves. Offer a glass of water. Continue to monitor them for any signs of pain or disorientation that may have developed after the fall. Contact a healthcare provider if you have any concerns.

Preventing Future Falls

Helping a senior off the floor is a temporary solution; preventing future falls is the long-term goal. Consider these proactive steps:

• Home Safety: Modify the living space by removing tripping hazards, installing grab bars in bathrooms, and improving lighting.
• Strengthening Exercises: Encourage balance and strength training. Activities like Tai Chi or simple chair exercises can significantly improve stability.
• Medication Review: Discuss with a doctor or pharmacist whether any medications could increase fall risk.
• Discuss Concerns: Open communication with the senior and their doctor about fall incidents is crucial. The CDC's STEADI Fall Prevention program offers excellent resources.

Conclusion

The key to responding to an elderly person's fall is a calm, methodical, and safe approach. Always prioritize assessing for injury and be ready to call for emergency help if needed. By knowing the proper manual techniques and being prepared to use equipment, caregivers can confidently provide assistance. Proactive measures, like home safety and balance exercises, are the best defense against falls in the first place, ensuring long-term well-being and independence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after an elderly person falls?

First, stay calm and reassure them. Assess for any pain or obvious injuries, especially to the head, neck, and back. If you suspect a serious injury, do not move them and call emergency services immediately.

When should I call 911 for an elderly person's fall?

You should call 911 if the person is unconscious, bleeding profusely, complains of severe pain (especially in the head, neck, or back), cannot move, or shows signs of shock. Always err on the side of caution.

How can I get an elderly person off the floor by myself?

If they are uninjured and can help, guide them to roll onto their side, then to their hands and knees. Position a sturdy chair in front of them for support, and help them push up with their legs while holding onto the chair.

What is the safest way to lift someone from the floor?

The safest method is often using a mechanical lift or other assistive device. If performing a manual lift, use proper body mechanics: bend your knees, keep your back straight, and lift with your legs, not your back. Avoid twisting.

Can a transfer belt help lift a fallen senior?

A transfer belt is primarily used for stability during transfers, not for lifting a person directly from the floor. It can, however, provide a secure grip point for a caregiver assisting a person who is already partially up or moving to a chair.

What are some ways to prevent falls in the future?

Fall prevention involves a multi-pronged approach, including home safety modifications (removing clutter, installing grab bars), regular exercise to improve balance and strength, and a medication review with a doctor.

What if the elderly person is too heavy for me to lift?

Never attempt to lift someone who is too heavy. It puts both of you at risk of serious injury. In this situation, use a mechanical lift device if available, or call for professional medical assistance.