Having a fall can be a sudden and frightening experience. In this short film is a demonstration of how to help if someone you care for has a fall.

Joanne:

“Fran are you OK?” “You still feel dizzy Fran?”

Fran:

“Not so bad”

Joanne:

“Do you have any pain anywhere; do you have a sore head or anything?”

Fran:

“No I don’t think so.”

The first and most important thing to do is check if they are injured or not. If they are able to speak to you, ask what happened.

Check for any obvious signs of injury. Start at the head and work your way down to the feet.

Do not try to get the person up until you are sure they are not injured. If they try to get up too quickly they may fall again and be injured further. They may lose confidence if they try to get up and fail because they have rushed. Think and plan what you are going to do and ask them what they think they can manage themselves so you help each other.

If you know you cannot get the person up on your own, make sure you make them comfortable where they are using pillows, cushions or blankets, then get help. Know your own limits so you do not become injured too. If the person is anxious, sit with them for reassurance until help arrives.

Joanne:

“OK, how are you feeling there?”

Fran:

“Oh, it’s getting better.”

Joanne:

“OK, we’ll just take a minute and I’m just going to check that everything else is OK.” “How does this feel, all right?”

Fran:

“Yeah”

Joanne:

“And what about this arm, is that OK, no pain or problems there when you move that OK for me?”

Fran:

“That’s fine”

Joanne:

“OK and what about your legs Fran, do they fell fine?” “Can you move them OK?”

Fran:

“Yes”

Joanne:

“Ok let me just check this one as well for you.” “Alright, I’m just going to get rid of all this stuff out the way.”

If you can attempt to get them up

• Remove obstacles. Make sure there are no obstacles in the way which could cause further harm.
• Shuffle or roll away from danger. If the person has fallen against a radiator which is on, try to move them by getting them to shuffle or roll away to a safer distance.
• Wipe up any spilt liquids.
• Look for solid furniture to help you get the person up. Either bring it closer or try to get the person closer to a bed, chair or sofa.

Joanne:

“I’ll just move this chair nearer us here Fran all right.” “Now do you feel able Fran to just start to budge across to me at all or do you want to take another few seconds?”

Fran:

“I’ll give it a go.”

Joanne:

“OK, so what I’d like you to do Fran is just use this good leg.”

Ask them to roll on to their unaffected or strongest side. You may need to help by supporting their weaker arm as they roll. Bending the weaker leg will also help by using the persons own body weight to make rolling easier.

Joanne:

“OK , we’ll just bring this pillow back under and we’ll bring that, good.” “There we are.” “Now can you see the chair Fran?”

Fran:

“Yes”

Joanne:

“OK, now what we are going to get you to do is roll across on to your side, alright?”

Fran:

“Mmm”

Joanne:

“And then once you are lying there we’ll just check that you’re alright.”

Once they are on their side, try to push up in to a side sitting position. Wait until you are sure they are not dizzy or faint before attempting to get up.

Joanne:

“OK .” “Are you alright there?”

Fran:

“Mmm”

Joanne:

“OK what I’m gonna get you to do is use your good arm to push up on to your hips there Fran.” “I’ll help you a little bit.” “ How do you feel?”

Fran:

“I’m OK.”

When you are both ready, push up to kneel on the stronger leg. Reach for the furniture with the stronger hand and with one foot flat on the floor, push up to stand. You can help to steady the person as they do this.

Joanne:

“You feel OK?”

Fran:

“Yes”

Joanne:

“You ready to try now?” “Get up on to the chair?” “OK” “And we’ll get you to push up.” “Well done.”

Turn slowly and sit down. Let the person rest and check again there are no obvious injuries. Tell someone they have had a fall. Speak to a doctor or practice nurse for advice if you can.

Joanne:

“I’ll just get you to sit back Fran, just you relax.” “How do you fell there?”

Fran:

“Better”

Joanne:

“OK I’m just going to check your head.” “You’re neck feel OK Fran?”

Fran:

“Yeah”

Joanne:

“No pain anywhere?”

Fran:

“No”

Joanne:

“OK well done.”

Tell someone they have had a fall. Speak to a doctor or practice nurse for advice if you can.

Now let’s see Bill, who has had a stroke, get up from the floor.

Joanne:

“OK you fine there Bill?” “You OK” “You feeling OK?”

Bill:

“Yes”

Joanne:

“OK I’m just gonna bring this arm up for me just now.” “OK can you just lift your good leg for me Bill a wee bit.” “Just bend it for me.” “OK you’ve not got any pain there?”

Bill:

“No”

Joanne:

“Right Bill, I’m just gonna get you to roll onto your side towards me and I’m gonna help you with your shoulder here OK.” “OK just take your time and start to push up, just up on to your, that’s it.” “Stay there for a second Bill.” “OK, you just need to come forward now.” “Step round.”

Here are the key points to help get someone up from the floor

• Check for injuries.
• Call for help.
• Know your own limits.
• Make person comfortable if they can’t get up.
• Use solid furniture to help.
• Roll on to their strongest side.
• Get the person to push up in to side sitting.
• Kneel using furniture.
• Stand and turn slowly.
• Sit down.
• Check for injuries again.
• Tell someone about the fall.