How to help up an old person? A safe and practical guide

According to the CDC, over one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year, making falls a major cause of injury in this demographic. Knowing how to help up an old person safely and effectively is a critical skill for any caregiver or family member.

Quick Summary

Helping an older person who has fallen requires a calm, careful approach: first, assess for injuries and call for emergency help if needed. If they are uninjured, guide them slowly using their own strength and sturdy furniture, never attempting to lift them directly by yourself.

Key Points

• Assess for injuries first: Always check for severe pain, bleeding, or head trauma before attempting to move a fallen person; call 911 if any serious injury is suspected.

• Never lift them yourself: Avoid pulling or lifting the person directly; instead, guide them to use their own strength to get up, using proper body mechanics.

• Use sturdy furniture for support: Guide the person toward a strong, non-rolling chair or other solid object to use as leverage for standing.

• Follow a safe sequence: Help them roll to their side, then onto their hands and knees, and finally to a kneeling and standing position with support.

• Address the cause of the fall: After they are safe, investigate what caused the fall (e.g., trip hazard, dizziness) to prevent it from happening again.

• Implement preventative measures: Modify the home environment with better lighting, grab bars, and by removing clutter to reduce future fall risks.

• Consider assistive devices: Tools like gait belts, lift chairs, or inflatable cushions can make assisting with standing much safer for both parties.

Immediate assessment: Is emergency help needed?

Before you do anything else, it's essential to stay calm and assess the situation. Your immediate actions can prevent further injury to the person who has fallen and to yourself. The priority is to determine if emergency medical attention is required. Observe the person carefully and ask them simple questions. Look for visible injuries such as cuts, bruises, or swelling.

Signs that require a 911 call

• The person is unconscious, unresponsive, or confused.
• They complain of severe pain, especially in their head, neck, or back.
• You see a visible sign of a broken bone, such as a limb at an unnatural angle.
• There is heavy bleeding or head trauma.
• The person is unable to move their limbs.
• They complain of dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain. If any of these signs are present, do not attempt to move the person. Keep them still, covered with a blanket to prevent shock, and wait for emergency services to arrive. Your role is to comfort them and ensure they are safe until help comes.

Step-by-step guide to safe lifting

If you have assessed the situation and determined that the person is uninjured and can be moved, you can proceed with helping them up. Remember, the goal is to assist, not to lift them entirely on your own. This protects both your back and their body from further strain.

Position for a safe assist

1. Clear the area: Move any objects, such as rugs, coffee tables, or electrical cords, that could get in the way.
2. Use sturdy furniture: Position a non-rolling, heavy chair nearby. Avoid using unstable furniture like lightweight tables or rolling office chairs.
3. Encourage a slow transition: Gently guide the person to roll onto their side. This is often the first and safest step.
4. Move to hands and knees: Assist them in getting onto their hands and knees, taking as much time as needed.

Using a sturdy chair to stand

Once the person is on their hands and knees, guide them towards the chair you placed nearby.

1. Anchor their hands: Instruct them to place their hands firmly on the seat of the chair.
2. Bring one foot forward: Help them bring one foot forward, shifting their body into a lunge-like or kneeling position.
3. Stabilize and rise: If they can, they should push up using their legs and arms. You can provide gentle support behind their waist or back to help with stability, but do not lift them. If they have a gait belt, now is the time to use it by grasping the handles firmly. If using a gait belt, ensure it is secure around their waist.
4. Pivot to sit: Once they are standing, let them stand for a moment to regain their balance. Then, help them turn slowly to sit in the chair. Remind them to feel the chair against the back of their legs before sitting down.

Alternative methods and assistive devices

Sometimes, a simple chair-assisted lift isn't possible due to limited mobility or other factors. For these situations, there are several tools and techniques that can be used.

• Gait belts: These fabric belts with handles are wrapped around the person's waist, providing caregivers with a secure and stable way to assist with standing and walking.
• Lift chairs: These are specialized recliners that have a built-in mechanism to tilt forward, helping the user move from a sitting to a standing position with ease.
• Inflatable lifting cushions: Devices like the Mangar Elk or Camel are used by care professionals to gently inflate and lift a person from the floor, minimizing strain on both parties.
• Human floor lifts: Advanced devices, such as the IndeeLift, are designed specifically for fall recovery and allow a person to move to a seated and then standing position safely.

Comparison of lifting methods

Method	Best for...	Caregiver Strain	Independence Level	Cost
Chair Assist	Uninjured, mobile seniors	Low, when done correctly	Moderate	Free (using existing furniture)
Gait Belt	Transfers and mobility assist	Moderate	Low	Low-to-moderate
Inflatable Lift	Heavy-set individuals	Very low	Very low	High
Lift Chair	Everyday standing assistance	N/A (independent use)	High	High
Human Floor Lift	Post-fall recovery	Very low	Moderate (remote)	High

Post-fall care and next steps

Even after a seemingly minor fall, the event can be physically and emotionally jarring. Here are the steps to take once the person is safely seated.

Monitor their health

• Check for delayed symptoms: Ask them how they feel. Some pain or stiffness might not appear for several hours. Monitor them for the next 24 hours for any new symptoms like increased pain, dizziness, or confusion.
• Encourage rest and hydration: Offer them a drink of water and a snack. Allow them to rest and recover from the shock of the fall.
• Inform family and doctors: Notify other family members and their primary care physician about the fall, even if there were no obvious injuries. This information is crucial for future risk assessment.

Investigate the cause

Understanding why the fall happened is key to preventing a recurrence. Review the circumstances of the fall. Was it a trip hazard, a dizzy spell, or did they lose their balance? Consider these factors:

• Environment: Did loose rugs, poor lighting, or clutter contribute to the fall?
• Medication: Was there a recent change in medication that could cause dizziness or drowsiness?
• Underlying health: Could an underlying health issue, such as poor vision, ear problems affecting balance, or a heart condition, be the cause?

Implement fall prevention strategies

Preventing future falls is the most important step. Make the following modifications to the home environment:

• Remove tripping hazards: Secure loose rugs, clear clutter, and ensure electrical cords are out of walkways.
• Improve lighting: Add brighter bulbs, motion-sensor lights, and nightlights in hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
• Install grab bars: Put sturdy grab bars in bathrooms near the toilet and shower, and add handrails to both sides of all staircases.
• Recommend strength and balance exercises: Encouraging regular physical activity, like tai chi or gentle yoga, can significantly improve strength and balance.
• Consider a medical alert system: A wearable device that can summon help with the press of a button offers peace of mind for both the senior and their loved ones.

For more comprehensive information on fall prevention, you can consult reputable sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Conclusion

Helping an old person who has fallen requires a calm mind, a structured approach, and a focus on safety. By first assessing for injuries and then using a careful, step-by-step method with sturdy support, you can assist them without causing further harm. However, preventing future falls is the most effective form of care. By making home modifications, encouraging healthy habits, and using assistive devices, you can help reduce the risk of another fall and promote safe, healthy aging. Always remember to seek professional help from paramedics if a serious injury is suspected, and consult a doctor to understand the root cause of the fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

First, stay calm and reassure them. Then, assess them for any injuries by asking if they are in pain and checking for visible wounds, swelling, or signs of head trauma. Do not try to move them until you've checked for injuries.

When should I call 911 after an elderly person falls?

Call 911 immediately if the person is unconscious, has severe pain (especially in their head, neck, or back), shows signs of a broken bone, is bleeding heavily, or complains of dizziness or chest pain.

What is the safest way to help an elderly person get up from the floor?

The safest method is to use a step-by-step process with a sturdy piece of furniture, like a heavy chair. Guide them to roll onto their side, move to their hands and knees, crawl to the chair, and push up using their arms and legs with your support.

Can I use a gait belt to help a senior get up after a fall?

Yes, a gait belt is an excellent tool for providing a secure grip, but it should only be used if the person is uninjured and able to help themselves. Use it to assist their movements, not to lift them entirely.

What if an old person is too heavy for me to help up?

If you cannot safely assist them on your own, do not try. You risk injuring both them and yourself. Call for additional help from another person or use an assistive lifting device designed for this purpose. If serious injury is suspected, always call 911.

How can I prevent falls from happening in the first place?

Preventative measures include removing home hazards (loose rugs, clutter), improving lighting, installing grab bars in bathrooms and railings on stairs, and encouraging strength and balance exercises like tai chi.

What should I monitor for after a senior has been helped up?

Monitor them for the next 24 hours for any delayed symptoms, such as increased pain, dizziness, nausea, or confusion. Encourage rest and hydration, and inform their doctor about the fall.