By Shannin Prather
April 2024 | 2024 Spring Newsletter
Every year, more than 25% of adults aged 65 or older experience a fall. Falling once can double a person’s chance of falling again, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, falls are a concern for the health of millions of adults with disabilities. A 2022 study by the General Accountability Office, suggests that self-reported falls were higher among adults with disabilities aged 45 to 59 than those among adults aged 60 or older.
Fall prevention steps should be followed, such as wearing stable, well-fitting shoes and practicing strength and balance exercises. However, even with precautions, there may be times a person experiences a fall.
To prevent further injury after a fall, it is important to know how to safely get back up by following these five steps:
1: To prevent further injury after a fall, it is important to know how to safely get back up by following these five steps
2: If you do not feel pain or injury, slowly roll onto your side and push yourself up onto your hands and knees. Carefully crawl toward a sturdy chair, coffee table, or couch. If you cannot crawl due to a physical condition, try scooting your buttocks along the floor or roll your way over to any furniture you can safely sit on
3: Put both your hands on the furniture and then plant the foot of your strongest leg on the floor, while keeping the other knee down. Take a moment to ensure you are not feeling dizzy. If you do, remain in this position, or return to both knees on the floor until the dizziness passes
4: Slowly raise yourself up with your strong leg, bringing your weaker leg under you as you rise to a standing position. As you rise, you could slowly turn your body and sit on the furniture
5: Sit for a couple minutes to regain your balance. While you sit, think about what may have caused the fall and what steps may be needed to prevent future falls.
If someone can help you up, there may be a risk of injury to that person and yourself. If someone is helping, be an active participant as much as you can. It is recommended that, instead of lifting you up from the floor, they assist you through the five steps listed above.
If you are at risk for falling due to disability or health condition, there are programs that can help. Learn about the free fall prevention programs offered by Stanford Health Care or by connecting to other fall prevention resources in Santa Clara County by speaking with a Sourcewise Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.