October 11, 2023

Quote of the Week:

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

— Albert Einstein

In this week's newsletter, we are addressing a topic of great importance, especially for older adults – how to safely get up from the floor after a fall. Falls among older adults can be concerning, but knowing the right techniques can make all the difference in maintaining safety and independence.

Before we dive into the methods, here's a critical message: Preventing falls is key!

1-50: Don't fall! To begin with, it's essential to take measures to prevent falls. Scroll to the end of this newsletter for tips on fall prevention.

Now, let's explore the various ways older adults can safely get up from the floor after a fall. Please remember that the methods we're sharing are suitable for situations where the person is not hurt, bleeding uncontrollably, in pain, unconscious, or highly anxious. If in doubt or if any of these conditions apply, please call 911.

Let’s say there are FOUR large categories for getting up from the floor, after falling.

1. Using equipment (usually requires another person)
2. With help from one person or more.
3. By yourself — Using close-by sturdy furniture.
4. By yourself — Without holding onto furniture.

If you have access to certain equipment, it can be immensely helpful in safely lifting someone from the floor. Here are some options and resources:

Hoyer Lift: Least expensive (~$500)

Electric Chair Lift: (~$500)

1. Call 911: especially if you suspect the person is hurt. They often have more than one person to help the person up. And there are times when the person is not hurt but more than one person is required because of their size or disability.
2. The “how to” assist someone up from floor assuming they are not injured, or terribly frightened:

How To Help Elderly Get Up from the Floor — with one person assisting:

1. Gently guide your loved one as they roll onto one side.
2. Give some help as they kneel on both knees.
3. Once they are in a stable position, bring a non-rolling chair over to them.
4. Tell your loved one to place their arms on the seat of the chair.

If you're alone but have sturdy furniture nearby, these techniques can be a lifesaver. Learn how to utilize the furniture to regain your footing safely.

As described by AARP: https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2023/how-to-safely-get-up-from-falls.html

In some situations, you might find yourself without any nearby furniture to hold onto. We'll guide you through one of the many methods you can use to get back on your feet independently. Here is one of many ways:

Prevention is the best medicine. Explore the importance of medical alert systems and how they can help you or your loved ones in case of a fall. Additionally, practicing getting up and down from the floor can be a game-changer.

To do: Get a medical alert system

• Using a smartphone, or other devices to let folks know you have fallen AND NEED HELP. 
• Some medical alert devices also DETECT falls and will call for help.
• Here are some excellent websites with more information: https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/medical-alert-systems/best-medical-alert-systems/

To do: Get instruction and practice getting up and down from the floor

Last but Not Least: The DANGER of staying on floor without help,

even if you are not seriously injured at first!

Rhabdomyolysis: is the breakdown of damaged muscle which results in the release of muscle cell contents into the blood. The proteins and electrolytes released into the blood can cause organ damage.

Of people aged 65 and older, 30% will fall at least once per year—for people aged over 80, this rises to 50%. Patients who remain on the floor for a long time are at risk of developing rhabdomyolysis.

If a person cannot move or get off the floor, tissue necrosis can occur at the point of contact and skeletal muscle is destroyed, releasing its contents into the bloodstream. This can eventually lead to crush syndrome, which includes rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia, dysrhythmias and acute kidney injury, and can be fatal. There are no guidelines for a time period when rhabdomyolysis is more likely to occur nor international consensus on how to best treat this condition in and out of hospital. This article looks at rhabdomyolysis resulting from falls in elderly people, and how to recognize and manage it.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of

elders and the caregivers who selflessly support them.

DayBreak is committed to offering essential support to elders and caregivers navigating diverse difficulties. If you know a senior in need of our care and coordination services, or if you're aware of a caregiver seeking assistance,

encourage them to reach out to us at:

510-834-8314