According to Statistics Canada, falls are the most common cause of injury among older Canadians. Every year, it is estimated 1 in 3 seniors aged 65 years and older are likely to fall at least once. So, why not ensure you’re prepared in the case a fall does occur?

Using a product like the Connect Care Medical Alert Button can help maintain independence while at home or on the go. A personal emergency response system can either detect a fall or can be activated at the push of a button to ensure help is on the way. While you’re waiting for assistance to arrive, do you know how to recover from a fall? Practice these 6 easy steps to recover from a stumble:

1. Pause and Take a Moment

Don’t immediately get up, take a moment to breathe and assess the situation. You’ll likely feel shock right after the fall, so taking a few big breaths can help you recover faster. Take in your surroundings and see if there is a phone or someone nearby to assist in your recovery.

Again, before getting up, assess to see if you’ve incurred an injury. Try wiggling all your fingers and toes, then run your hand up and down your body to see if anything hurts. Lastly, if you appear unharmed, try moving your spine and head last. If you feel dizzy, remain sitting or lying down if you can until professional help arrives. If you need assistance, dial 9-1-1 on your cell phone, or press your medical alert device to be connected immediately to medical services.

3. Prepare to Stand

If you believe you are uninjured and can recover from the fall on your own, follow these steps in the following order:

• Roll over onto your side.
• Pause and assess again for injuries.
• Rise onto your hands and knees and crawl to any sturdy piece of furniture, preferably a chair or couch.
• Place your hands firmly onto the furniture and move one foot forward until you are in a half kneeling position.
• Keep your other knee bent.
• From this kneeling position, slowly rise and turn your body so you can sit in the chair.

4. Call a Friend

Even if you feel fine after a fall, it’s important you notify either a family member or friend. It’s possible you could have hit your head and a loved one can check-in to make sure you aren’t suffering from a concussion or any other post-fall injuries that may become apparent after the shock wears off.

5. Notify Your Doctor

It’s always best practice to visit your doctor after a fall for a routine checkup. There are multiple injuries that may not show up immediately after a fall and it’s best to seek help before any unwanted conditions appear. It is especially important to contact your doctor if you hit your head during the fall.

6. Relieve Pain and Swelling

It’s not uncommon to feel pain, fatigue and swelling after a fall. If you have any form of cold packs available, apply them immediately to the point of impact to assist in the reduction of swelling. If you don’t have a cold pack, any bag of frozen vegetables also works effectively.

Continue to apply the cold pack a few times a day for three days post fall. Once the inflammation has been reduced, typically around day four, you might want to switch to a heat pad to further help with paid reduction and to promote blood flow. You can always consult your doctor for further instructions, as well as seek medical attention if the pain is persistent.

For peace of mind when a fall occurs, inquire about the Connect Care Medical Alert Button today by calling 1.800.665.7853 or by emailing:

connectcare@haltonhealthcare.com.