Tips to Help Seniors Recover After a Fall

At Heather Glen Senior Living, we’ve been providing families with a safe, comfortable and trusted home for their senior loved ones for years now, and our team of experts understands the aging process through and through—and we know that sometimes, experiencing a few falls is a part of that process. As a loved one grows older—especially if they are living independently—it’s completely natural for them to experience a fall or two, but it can be scary for everyone involved, and it’s important to know what steps to take after a fall occurs. Continue reading to find a few reliable ways you can help your loved one recover from a fall as comfortably as possible—both emotionally and physically. 

Schedule a doctor’s appointment

According to the CDC, over three million visits to the emergency department per year are a result of older adult falls. Even if your loved one is able to get up after the fall, it’s better to be safe than sorry. They could have injuries that are not apparent now but may lead to serious complications in the future—which is why it's vital that the doctor checks up on your loved one’s status and further examines their overall health. Schedule annual visits to the doctor to ensure that your loved one stays healthy, and if they are convinced that they are fine and refuse to go—reassure them that this is for their overall well-being and can help prevent future falls.

Don’t be afraid to talk about it

After a fall, it’s normal for seniors to feel shame, frustration and fear of their loved one’s reaction. To show your support, it’s best to have an honest and compassionate conversation about what happened and to reassure them that their safety and health are your primary concerns. This is especially important during their recovery process, as your loved one will need extra encouragement during their time of isolation or physical therapy, depending on their mobility and health status after the fall. By establishing open communication and trust regarding their health, they may be more open to receiving help from you, doctors and/or care professionals. 

Plan ahead

Seniors who are recovering from a fall or injury are at a higher risk of future falls, sometimes due to reduced activity from a fear of falling again. Because of this, it's important to be proactive about rebuilding your loved one’s strength and confidence in walking around the house—and to help prevent future falls, you’ll want to make sure there’s nothing for them to trip over or slip on in the house. In addition to follow-up doctor visits, it won’t hurt for them to use a cane or a walker to help regain strength—and when well enough to do so, encourage your loved one to get up for some light exercise and activity to improve balance and stability. Take them for short walks around the neighborhood and motivate them to get up and move, and although they may be timid at first—the long-term results will help them regain confidence, strength and mobility.

Contact Heather Glen Senior Living

At Heather Glen Senior Living, our prioritization of your loved one’s health is truly second to none—which is why we provide 24/7 care, individualized plans, visiting nurse practitioners, fitness and activity areas, on-site transportation to doctor’s appointments and so much more. Our senior living community provides your loved one with the utmost care without taking away their independence—and we’re here to help them thrive in the best health possible, even if a fall occurs. Our experienced staff is here to help in any way we can, so to learn more about the work we do or to set up a tour of your own throughout our community—don’t hesitate to give us a call at (610) 841-4478 or fill out our online form today.