After a fall
After a fall at home: what to do next
Most falls have a reason: a step, a slippery tub, getting up too fast at night. A physical therapist can help find that reason, and we fix it.
Things you can do this week
- Tell their doctor about the fall, even if there was no injury.
- Look at where it happened. Note the lighting, the floor and what they were doing.
- Remove trip hazards like throw rugs, cords and clutter on stairs.
- Add light for nighttime trips to the bathroom.
- Hold off on suction-cup grab bars. They aren't made to hold a person's weight.
General tips, not medical advice. If someone is hurt, call their doctor or 911.
How the assessment helps after a fall
Your PT watches the movements that matter, like getting up from a chair, turning in a hallway and stepping into the tub, and measures balance with standard tests. The plan puts the fix for the likely cause of the fall first.