When a Parent Has a Fall
No adsLast updated: June 2026
Call 112 / 108 immediately if they're unconscious, bleeding heavily, can't move a limb, have severe pain, hit their head, or you're unsure. When in doubt, call.
First, stay calm and assess (or guide whoever is there)
- Don't rush to lift them. Moving someone with a possible fracture or spinal injury can make it worse. Keep them still and comfortable.
- Check responsiveness — are they awake, talking, making sense?
- Look for obvious injury — bleeding, a limb at an odd angle, severe pain, inability to move something.
- Ask about a head knock — head injuries in older adults, especially on blood thinners, need urgent assessment.
If it seems minor and they're fully alert
- Help them up slowly only if there's no sign of serious injury — to a chair first, then rest.
- Watch them over the next 24–48 hours for new pain, confusion, drowsiness, or vomiting — any of these means seek medical care.
- Arrange a doctor review — a "small" fall can mask a fracture or an underlying cause (low BP, infection, medication).
Worth Knowing
Falls are rarely "just clumsiness" in older people — they're often a signal of something treatable (blood pressure, medication side effects, weakness, vision, infection). After any fall, it's worth a proper review to find and fix the cause, not just treat the bruise. And the most important thing from abroad: make sure they can summon help fast next time — see phone setup and SOS.
General information only, not medical advice. In any emergency, call 112 / 108 and follow the dispatcher's instructions.