How to get an elderly person up from the floor?

Falls are a major concern for older adults, with one in four people over 65 falling each year. Knowing how to get an elderly person up from the floor is a crucial skill for caregivers, requiring a careful, calm approach to ensure both the senior's and your own safety. This guide covers essential steps, from initial assessment to safe lifting techniques, helping you respond effectively and confidently.

Quick Summary

Safely assisting a senior who has fallen requires a methodical approach, starting with assessing for injuries before attempting to move them. Using a sturdy chair as support, a caregiver can guide the person through a controlled sequence of rolling, kneeling, and pushing up with their own strength, minimizing the risk of re-injury for both parties.

Key Points

• Prioritize Safety: Before attempting to lift, assess the person for injuries and ensure they are conscious and coherent. Do not move them if a head, neck, or back injury is suspected.

• Use the 'Chair' Method: A sturdy chair can act as a reliable anchor, allowing the senior to use their own strength to rise from the floor gradually and safely, with your support.

• Leverage Assisted Devices: For those with limited mobility or for caregiver safety, utilize specialized equipment like inflatable lifts or sit-to-stand devices, rather than attempting to manually lift the person.

• Focus on Prevention: After a fall, identify and mitigate risk factors in the environment, review medications, and incorporate balance exercises to prevent future incidents.

• Know When to Call 911: Immediately call for emergency services if the person is unconscious, has a visible broken bone, or experiences severe pain after the fall.

• Monitor for 24-48 Hours: Keep a close eye on the person for any delayed symptoms of injury, such as confusion, dizziness, or new pain, even if they seem fine immediately afterward.

Immediate Action: The Crucial First Steps

When you find an elderly person on the floor, your immediate response is critical. Remaining calm and communicating clearly will help reassure them and prevent panic. Your primary goal is to assess the situation for injuries before attempting any movement.

Assess for Injury and Consciousness

Before you do anything else, check the senior for signs of injury. Engage them in a calm conversation to gauge their responsiveness and understanding.

• Check for Head Injury: Ask if they hit their head. Look for any bleeding, bruising, or lumps. If a head injury is suspected, do not move them. Call 911 immediately.
• Ask About Pain: Gently ask them where they feel pain. A person might minimize their pain out of embarrassment or fear. Look for signs like swelling, misshapen limbs, or an inability to move a particular area.
• Observe Other Symptoms: Be alert for any dizziness, confusion, nausea, or shortness of breath. These could be signs of a more serious underlying issue.
• Keep Them Still and Comfortable: If a serious injury is suspected, help them stay still. Cover them with a blanket to keep them warm while waiting for emergency services.

The “Chair” Method: The Safest Assisted Lift

If you have determined that the person is uninjured and can follow instructions, the chair method is the safest way to help them up. This technique relies on the senior's own strength to help them rise, with you providing guidance and support rather than lifting their full weight.

Step-by-Step Chair Method

1. Preparation: Bring a sturdy, non-rolling chair or other solid object (like a couch) near the person's head. If possible, position a second chair nearby for them to sit in once they are up.
2. Roll to Side: Gently guide the senior to roll onto their side. This should be a slow, controlled movement. Ensure you are close to them to provide support.
3. Move to Hands and Knees: From their side, help them get onto their hands and knees. This is a stable, intermediary position that allows for a gradual transition.
4. Crawl to the Chair: Instruct the senior to crawl towards the sturdy chair you placed. Have them place their hands firmly on the seat of the chair.
5. Achieve a Half-Kneel: Guide them to bring one foot forward, placing it flat on the floor so they are in a kneeling lunge position.
6. Stand Up Slowly: Encourage them to push up with their legs and arms simultaneously. Provide steady, firm support at their core, but do not lift them. They should be doing most of the work. Once standing, have them pivot and sit in the chair behind them.

Assisted Lifting Devices

For individuals with limited mobility or where manual lifting is not safe, specialized devices can provide assistance. These are essential tools for caregivers and are often safer for both parties than manual lifting attempts.

A Comparison of Assisted Lifting Devices

Device Type	Description	Best For	Considerations
Patient Floor Lifts (Manual/Hydraulic)	Uses a sling and frame to manually or hydraulically lift a person.	Caregivers with the strength and training to operate the device.	Requires manual effort. Safer than unassisted lifting. Needs space.
Inflatable Emergency Lifting Cushions	Air-filled cushion that gradually inflates, raising the person from the floor to a seated position.	Seniors with some mobility who can shift onto the cushion.	Requires minimal physical effort from the caregiver. Portable and easy to use.
Sit-to-Stand Devices	Mobile lifts with a padded platform for the senior to stand on.	Seniors who can bear some weight but need assistance transitioning to standing.	Reduces strain on the caregiver significantly. Requires the senior to have some leg strength.
Transfer Belts	A belt with handles worn by the senior, providing a secure grip for the caregiver.	Assisting with small movements, like pivoting or standing from a seated position.	Great for balance and support. Not for lifting a person from the floor.

The Critical Aftermath: What to Do Post-Fall

Once the person is safely off the floor, your work is not over. Monitoring their condition and addressing the root cause of the fall is crucial to preventing a recurrence.

Monitor the Senior

Even if the fall seems minor, observe the person closely for the next 24 to 48 hours. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, may not present symptoms immediately. Be alert for any delayed signs of pain, confusion, or changes in behavior.

Investigate the Cause of the Fall

Understanding why the fall occurred is key to prevention. Discuss the event with the senior to determine the contributing factors.

• Environmental Factors: Were there loose rugs, poor lighting, or clutter? Address these hazards immediately.
• Physical Factors: Was the senior dizzy, weak, or unbalanced? Did a medical condition contribute? Consult with their healthcare provider to investigate underlying causes.
• Medication Review: Many medications can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Have a doctor or pharmacist review all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.

When to Call for Emergency Help

Knowing when to escalate the situation is a non-negotiable part of fall response. Call 911 immediately if:

• The person is unconscious or disoriented.
• There is severe pain, especially in the head, neck, or back.
• A broken bone is visible or suspected.
• There is heavy bleeding.
• They complain of shortness of breath or chest pain.
• You are unable to lift the person safely, even with assistance.

Remember, it is always better to be cautious and seek professional medical help if there is any doubt about the person's condition. If you are a caregiver seeking more resources on safe patient handling, the Caregiver Action Network provides valuable guides and information.

Conclusion

Responding to an elderly person's fall requires a calm demeanor, a thorough assessment for injury, and the use of safe, practiced techniques. The chair method offers a secure way to assist an uninjured senior, while assisted lifting devices provide a safe alternative for more challenging situations. Critically, identifying and addressing the cause of the fall is the most effective long-term strategy for prevention. By following these steps and knowing when to call for emergency help, caregivers can protect both their own health and the well-being of those they assist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the very first thing I should do when an elderly person falls?

The first step is to remain calm, reassure the person, and quickly assess them for injuries. Ask if they are hurt, especially if they hit their head. If a serious injury is suspected, or they are unconscious, do not move them and call 911 immediately.

When should I call for emergency medical help after a fall?

Call 911 if the person is unconscious, complains of severe pain (especially in the head, neck, or back), has a visibly broken bone, or is bleeding heavily. You should also call if you cannot safely lift them or if they report chest pain or shortness of breath.

Can I lift an elderly person on my own without a device?

You should generally avoid manually lifting a senior who has fallen, as this can cause injury to both of you. The safest method is to guide them using a sturdy chair, allowing them to use their own legs and arms to assist with the movement while you provide stable support.

What if the person can't get onto their hands and knees?

If they lack the strength or mobility for the hands-and-knees stage of the chair method, you should not force it. This is a situation where an assisted lifting device, such as an inflatable cushion or patient lift, is highly recommended. If no device is available, call for assistance from trained professionals.

What is the best way to prevent future falls?

Fall prevention involves multiple strategies. These include removing trip hazards like loose rugs and clutter, improving lighting, installing grab bars, having a doctor review medications, and encouraging balance and strength exercises like Tai Chi.

How do inflatable lifting cushions work?

Inflatable lifting cushions, like the Mangar Elk, are placed under the person while they are still on the floor. A remote control then inflates the cushion slowly and securely, raising the person from the floor to an upright seated position, minimizing physical strain.

What are some less obvious signs of a fall-related injury?

Some injuries are not immediately obvious. Watch for delayed symptoms over the next 24-48 hours, such as increased confusion, severe headaches, unexplained bruising, new weakness, or changes in vision or speech. If any of these appear, seek medical attention.

Is it safe to use a mobility aid, like a walker, to help someone up from the floor?

No, a walker is not designed to bear weight from a lifting motion and could easily tip over, causing a second fall and further injury. Always use a sturdy, unmoving piece of furniture like a heavy chair or couch for support.

Why is it important for the senior to be involved in the lifting process?

Involving the senior allows them to use their own strength, which is much safer and more efficient than a caregiver trying to lift their full body weight. It also minimizes the risk of injury to the caregiver's back and helps the senior feel more in control.