If the situation appears to be an emergency
Call your local emergency services and follow trained professionals' instructions. This article is general education, not medical advice.
1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Ask what happened and whether the older adult has pain, difficulty breathing, confusion, bleeding, or another concerning symptom. Avoid rushing to move them simply because you are worried.
2. Get Appropriate Help When Needed
If the person appears seriously injured, has significant pain, has lost consciousness, is having trouble breathing, is confused, or you are concerned about a potentially serious injury, seek emergency medical assistance.
3. Communicate What Happened
If healthcare professionals become involved, describe when and where the fall occurred, what the person was doing, whether there may have been loss of consciousness, and what symptoms you observed.
4. Document the Fall
After the immediate situation is addressed, record the date, time, location, circumstances, injuries or symptoms, and assistance provided. Patterns of falls or near-falls may be important to discuss with the person's healthcare team.
5. Look for Contributing Factors
Consider lighting, rugs, stairs, bathroom surfaces, footwear, mobility challenges, and whether the senior was attempting an activity that has recently become difficult.
6. Reassess the Safety Plan
A fall can be a reason to revisit the family's safety plan. Ask whether the senior can reliably reach a telephone and whether someone would know if they fell while alone.
Depending on the senior's needs, a medical alert solution may provide another way to access emergency assistance. Options can include professional monitoring, fall-detection technology, and mobile protection. No system can guarantee detection of every fall, so technology should complement a broader safety plan and appropriate healthcare guidance.
7. Have the Conversation With Your Loved One
Talk about what happened without blame. The goal is to understand what your loved one needs to remain as safe and independent as possible.
Questions to Consider
- Was this the first fall or one of several?
- Was the senior alone?
- Could they reach a phone or call for help?
- Are changes needed in the home?
- Should the event be discussed with a healthcare professional?
- Would additional safety technology be appropriate?
Want to learn about medical alert options?
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ProtectMomNJ Can Help
ProtectMomNJ provides senior-safety education, caregiver resources, medical alert solutions, and healthcare partnerships for New Jersey families.
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Important: This article provides general educational information. It does not replace emergency services, medical evaluation, or advice from a qualified healthcare professional.