What to do after a fall

Falls are common occurrences in those aged 65 and over and Age UK data from the State of Health and Care of Older People in England 2025 report shows that around a third of people in this age group fall at least once a year. If this were to happen to you, would you know how to respond safely, whether that means carefully standing up if possible, or calling for help?

Whether you’re worried about falling in the future or have recently experienced a fall, in this article, we draw together advice and information taken from the NHS, First Aid for Life, and Age UK fall prevention resources to provide helpful tips on what to do if it happens to you.

How to get up when you fall

After a fall, if you can get up do so slowly and carefully to make sure that you don’t cause further damage. Take your time to assess any injuries and ensure that you’re calm before you try to move. If there are people around, they may provide you assistance and help you to get back on your feet.

You may have had previous injuries or surgeries that could prevent you from getting up in the way described above. For example, if you have a knee injury, you may not be able to kneel to pull yourself up. You shouldn’t attempt any actions that could make these injuries worse. In this case, try to call for help by banging on a wall, shouting or, if you’re able to, using a mobile phone to call someone.

If you have a fall alarm, it can quickly connect you to a 24-hour Emergency Resolution team or alert your chosen contacts, ensuring help is on the way even if you can’t get up immediately.

Trying to get up when you’re on your own can be more difficult. There are some techniques that are recommended by the NHS and First Aid for Life to make sure that you get up safely.

• Check for injuries: Make sure you don’t have any major injuries. Take a few minutes to assess what hurts and try making some small movements, such as moving your feet. Keep calm and wait until you’re over the shock of the fall before making any big movements.
• Move onto your hands and knees: Once you feel able to move, try to get on your hands and knees. Depending on how you landed, this can usually be done by rolling onto your side and then putting your hands under you to pull yourself up.
• Crawl to a sturdy object: When you’re on your knees, crawl slowly towards a sturdy object that can be used to help you get up. Avoid a piece of furniture that could potentially tip over, as it may land on you. A chair, the stairs or a heavy desk are the best objects.
• Use your arms and legs to stand: Put your hands on the item to support most of your weight and slide one leg forward so that you’re in a kneeling position. From here, use your leg and both arms to push yourself upwards. If this movement makes you feel faint, rest for a bit before attempting it again.
• Sit and recover: Once you’ve stood up, sit on a chair for a few minutes if possible, to ensure that you’re okay.

At this point, it might be a good idea to call a family member so that they can come over and check that you’re okay. They may also be able to assess any injuries or take you to a local walk-in centre to be checked over.

How a personal alarm can help?

Falling can be dangerous for any older person, but this is especially the case for seniors who live alone. If you were to fall at home with no one around, would you be able to call for help or stand up again by yourself?

This is why it’s important that some preventative measures are put in place before you fall so that you’re prepared. For example, a personal alarm is a device that is on your person at all times so that, should an accident occur, you can push the button for help without needing to move or access a phone. Age Co offers a range of personal alarms, including in-home alarms that work throughout the home and garden, and out-and-about alarms that provide coverage anywhere in the UK. Many of these alarms are water-resistant and can be worn in the bath or shower.

Some Age Co alarms also include automatic fall detection, meaning that if the device detects a hard fall, it will automatically alert the 24-hour Emergency Resolution team. This is particularly useful if you are unable to press the button yourself. The team will assess the situation and, if necessary, contact your nominated keyholders or the emergency services to ensure help arrives quickly.

If you fall and are unable to move, you can use your personal alarm to get help quickly.

Staying warm and comfortable after a fall

To prevent you from becoming too cold, the NHS recommends:

• Moving onto a soft surface, such as carpet or a rug
• If possible, reach for a blanket or throw that can keep you warm until help arrives
• Moving away from draughts if possible

If it’s too painful to move, then avoid doing so as it could make your injuries worse.

What to do for bruising after a fall

It’s likely that you’ll have some bruising after falling over. This is normal, however, there are some ways that you may be able to treat the area.

A bruise is a bleed underneath the skin. Therefore, to reduce the appearance of the bruise, you should limit the bleeding.

Use an ice pack or cold compress: If you’re using an ice pack, wrap it in a tea towel first so you don’t get an ice burn. Apply the compress for at least 10 minutes.

Elevate large bruises: When the bruise covers a large area, such as your leg, elevating it can help. Keep your leg rested, such as on a footstool, when resting over the next 24 hours after the incident.

Rest as much as you can: Avoid putting strain on the bruised area by resting if possible.

Seniors tend to experience bruising more as the skin thins with age and the blood vessels are closer to the surface of the skin. This is why your bruises may look bad but don’t hurt that much. If you’re in a lot of pain, you could try taking some painkillers to ease it.

Summary

After a fall, taking practical steps can make a big difference:

• Stay calm and assess any injuries before moving.
• Use the NHS-recommended method of crawling to a sturdy object to stand up safely.
• If you can’t get up, call for help or use a personal alarm.
• Keep warm and comfortable while waiting for assistance.
• Treat bruises with cold compresses, elevation, and rest.
• Consider preventative measures such as a personal alarm for reassurance and quick access to help.

Being prepared can give you confidence and peace of mind, knowing that help is always available if you need it.