{"id":7325,"date":"2026-09-06T22:59:41","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T22:59:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visiting-angels.co.uk\/cheshire-east\/?p=7325"},"modified":"2026-09-06T23:10:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T23:10:41","slug":"what-to-do-when-an-elderly-parent-has-a-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visiting-angels.co.uk\/cheshire-east\/what-to-do-when-an-elderly-parent-has-a-fall\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do when an elderly parent has a fall"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Quick summary<\/b><\/h3>\n

Do not move them yet.<\/b> Check whether they are hurt, whether they hit their head, and whether they can tell you what happened. Call 999 if they cannot get up, may have injured their head, back, neck or hip, or seem confused. If none of that applies, call 111. Then read on.<\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Do I move them or leave them where they are?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Leave them. The NHS advice is to take a couple of minutes to check for pain and injury before anyone tries to move (<\/span>NHS, Falls<\/span><\/a>, page reviewed March 2025).<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask three things.<\/b> Does anything hurt. Did they bang their head. Do they know what happened and where they are.<\/span><\/p>\n

If they cannot answer, or the answer comes out muddled, treat it as a head injury until a clinician says otherwise.<\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Who do I call when an elderly person falls?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The line between a 999 call and a 111 call is mostly about the head, the hips and whether they can get up.<\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Call<\/b><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

When<\/b><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

What it covers<\/b><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

999<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

They cannot get up, or may have injured their head, back, neck or hip. They were knocked out, cannot stay awake, had a seizure, fell more than a metre or down five stairs, have new weakness or numbness, or have problems with vision, balance, walking, speaking or understanding. Clear fluid or blood from the ears. A black eye without a blow to the eye. Behaviour that has changed.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ambulance, A and E assessment, scan if needed<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

111<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

They have fallen and may be in pain, injured or unwell, but none of the above applies. Also ring 111 if they were sick, felt dizzy, or take a medicine that thins the blood.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Clinical advice, a call back, and a decision about where to go<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

GP<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

No injury, but they have fallen before, or you are worried about their balance and mobility.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

A falls assessment, medication review, referral to a falls service<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Sources: <\/span>NHS, Falls<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>NHS, Head injury and concussion<\/span><\/a>, reviewed May 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood thinners change the picture.<\/b> Warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban and similar medicines alter what a bump to the head means, and the NHS lists them specifically as a reason to get advice from 111 after any head injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

That is a long list to hold in your head at ten past six in the evening. If what you are looking at frightens you, ring 999 and let them decide.<\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

How do I help someone up after a fall?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Only if they say nothing hurts and they feel able to try. <\/span>Never lift them yourself, and never pull them up by an arm or from under the armpits.<\/b><\/p>\n

Put a sturdy chair beside them, one that will not slide or tip. Then let them do the moving while you steady and encourage. The NHS sets out the order:<\/span><\/p>\n