Falls happen quite frequently among adults aged 65 and over. In fact, according to the CDC, one in four older adults will fall at home in a given year, and only half of these people will alert someone.

If you fall, it’s extremely important to tell your doctor, a loved one or 911 if you’ve been injured and can’t get up. Falling once doubles the chances of falling again.

Our AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail team highlights what you should do if you fall below, so keep reading.

• Here’s what to do: Take a second and stay on the ground. Examine your body, and if you feel good enough to get up safely, look for a chair or piece of furniture that is near you.
• What to do next: Roll onto your side and rest. Lying still will allow your blood pressure to adjust, which will decrease the chances of fainting if you were to get up quickly.
• What to do after: Sit up slowly. Push your upper body up, lift your head and take a moment to rest. Slow and steady wins the race when getting up from a fall.
• After that: Slowly get up on your hands and knees, and crawl to the chair or other stable piece of furniture. Put your hands on the piece of close furniture, bend your knees, push up, turn your body and sit down.
• Once you’ve gotten off the floor: Stay seated for a bit and examine how you feel. Even if you feel OK and uninjured, tell someone that you’ve fallen. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell whether you are dealing with a serious injury at first.
• If you do feel hurt: Visit our AFC center to get X-rayed. Broken bones are extremely common after in-home falls, and getting an accurate diagnosis will help you recover safely and quickly.
• Action steps to take: Once you’ve recovered, do your best to stay active and exercise often. Getting consistent exercise will help you build strength and flexibility, which will reduce your risk of falling again.
• Doctor recommendations: To prevent future falls, take any prescription and OTC medications into account by talking with your doctor or pharmacist. Some medications can cause dizziness and tiredness, which can inhibit your ability to focus, resulting in potential falls.

We’re here to help you be safe in your home! Don’t hesitate to reach out to our AFC team with any further questions or concerns.