Nach Sturz wieder aufstehen - psychisch und körperlich

"I'm going to the flower shop-" Plumps! One wrong move can quickly cause older people in particular to fall. But how do you get back on your feet afterwards? Here are some tips on how to get up safely and effectively after a fall.

 

 

The fear after the fall

 

Getting up after a fall can be a challenge, especially for older people. The fear of a fall and its possible consequences is often great, especially in old age. You hardly ever see Inge in the garden. Her favorite flowers have already dried up, and the light in the kitchen is rarely on.

 

Karin was admittedly very worried about her neighbor at first, after all Inge was always such a cheerful elderly lady. But since she fell while watering the flowers, she doesn't want to leave the house at all. 

 

The fear of another fall and its possible consequences, such as falling on your head, is too great. Does it really have to be like this?

 

The first thing you think of when you fall is fractures and bruises, torn ligaments and contusions. However, according to the expert standard in care, only 5% of falls are associated with serious physical injuries. In most cases, however, people who fall come away unscathed - at least physically.

 

Psychologically, the world often looks very different, because after a fall, self-confidence drops drastically and the fear is great: first of getting up again, then of moving again. This fear can develop into a real phobia that prevents those affected from wanting to continue moving: The Post Fall Syndrome.

 

The result is a vicious circle: the muscles and bone mass break down as a result of the avoided attempts at exercise. The lack of physical activity and sunlight can even lead to osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become unstable and break easily. This means that if the person does have to get up, repeated falls are inevitable.

 

Therefore, after a fall, it is also important to focus on helping the person back up psychologically and encouraging them.

 

The way out of the vicious circle: How do I help the affected person?

 

If you want to help someone regain confidence in their own body after a fall, the first step is to go to the doctor treating them. As a caregiver, you should work with him or her to assess how high the risk of another fall is. It is important to identify and eliminate the causes of falls in everyday life. This makes it clear that care and care are NOT the same thing and require careful risk assessment.

 

Eventual risk factors should be clarified here and, if possible, mitigated. Tripping hazards in the home, such as slippery floors or raised carpet edges, are often a danger. Ill-fitting shoes that offer no support can also pose an increased risk of falling. Low blood pressure is another risk factor that can lead to falls. A medication, for example, may be responsible for the legs not wanting to obey or the balance failing.

 

High-risk drugs

High-risk drugs are here:

 

Due to the sheer number of different drugs, it may be possible to find a substitute here that has less severe side effects.

 

Professional help and psychotherapy

There are several factors involved in the treatment of post fall syndrome. One of these is seeking professional help: a psychotherapist who specializes in working with older people can restore self-confidence and provide the person affected with understanding and psychological support.

As a relative or carer, you can also do a lot to help the person regain their zest for life and conquer their fears.

Set small, easily achievable goals that build on each other: First, the person who has fallen should try to get up on their own to pick up the phone receiver. If this succeeds without any problems, they can then try to go to the toilet on their own, later to the garden and finally everywhere else. The constant sense of achievement conveys the message after the supposed defeat: I can do this!

 

Use of walking aids

However, the risk of falling again when moving independently is often very high and such experiments are too dangerous. If this is the case, a rollator, walking stick or adapted wheelchair will help you to keep your balance in an emergency.

 

The risk assessment with the doctor can quickly determine whether a walking aid is necessary. A qualified caregiver can also be a great support and accompany people at risk of falling on their daily journeys. Exercise training can help to improve balance and reduce the risk of falling. Here you can find the right caregiver! Finding the right caregiver in 5 stepsis the key to optimal support.

 

 

Getting up after a fall is an important skill that helps those affected to regain confidence in their mobility. Practicing this skill regularly can help them feel more confident and prevent further falls.

Finding the right walking aid

Attention: Even if Amazon & Co are becoming increasingly popular and online mail order is flourishing: When it comes to walking aids, there is no substitute for personal advice and choosing the right device. So don't order on the internet under any circumstances, but go to a specialist medical supply store - preferably together with the person concerned - and let them try out different products for themselves. Every person behaves differently and cannot handle every walking aid equally well.

 

In addition, the quality of the supporting device is important: it should be stable and be able to support the individual's body weight without being damaged. So although it is more convenient and sometimes cheaper to order goods online, safety and human life come first here without compromise.

 

Other support measures

In addition to psychological help and physical support measures, balance training and physiotherapy also play a role that should not be underestimated. Regular and adapted exercises maintain and strengthen muscles, bones and ligaments; coordination and balance improve and prevent another fall.

 

Find out more about how you can prevent another fall here!

 

Understanding the situation of family members

 

Children and grandchildren are often very worried after learning about the fall: What if grandma falls again? Everything went well this time, but what if she injures herself next time? They would prefer not to leave the person who has fallen alone, to do everything for them and control their every move. The feeling of helplessness is often enormous, especially if the person who has fallen lives in another household.

 

Even if the fear is great: Encourage the affected relative(s) to keep moving. It is understandable that you now want to relieve the person of any potentially risky activity, after all, they are very important to you and you want to avoid any danger.

 

But this only confirms the feeling that your own body is no longer functioning properly and poses a risk. The person will only develop an even stronger feeling of being in danger and will no longer want to move. 

 

You can talk about your fears and worries to the nurse or doctor of your relative. They will certainly be happy to take time for you. You can also contact Nora at any time if you have any questions: Leave a comment below!

 

Get back up after a fall

If you're helping a person get back up from the ground after a fall, the top priority is:Keep calm!And that goes for both sides.

Don't help the affected person up immediately, but give them the opportunity to collect themselves and digest the shock. You can place a small pillow under the person's head and cover them up, as the risk of hypothermia on the ground is relatively high, especially if they have been waiting for help for a long time.

 

How to deal with stressful situations

It is not uncommon for senior citizens in particular to slip up in such shock and stressful situations. If this happens, remove the wet clothing to prevent the person from catching a cold.

 

Calm yourself too: nothing can happen to the fallen person on the ground and you have time. As soon as the situation has calmed down a little, carefully feel the person. Make it clear that they should let you know immediately if they are in pain so that you can assess any injuries.

 

Straight fractures are often barely visible from the outside, but if there is one, the person must not be moved or encouraged to stand up. It is therefore important to listen to the affected person's assessment and take it seriously.

 

No serious injuries detected? Great! But what happens now?

It's best to get two chairs for the person to lean on and try to stand up on their own. If you have to leave the room to do this, explain to them why you are leaving them alone and that it is only for a short moment.

 

See yourself after a Recovering from a fall, can be very helpful for the self-confidence of the person affected - they now know: I may fall, but I can also help myself. In this way, the fear of further falls can be avoided. Getting up after a fall can therefore be practiced to gain self-confidence.
 

When further help is needed

However, the horror is often still deep-seated and the person affected cannot gather enough strength to pull up their own body weight.

 

In this case, it is important to assess whether you are able to get the person back up on your own. If you have any doubts, you should never just try, because if you fall under the weight and injure yourself, you will no longer be able to provide any help.

It is best to call a neighbor for help who can deal with the situation together with you. If no one is available and friends or family members only answer their voicemail, it is also perfectly legitimate to call the emergency services. After all, no fallen person should lie on the floor for longer than 45 minutes.

 

 

When do I need an ambulance after a fall?

As a general rule, if there are fractures, a joint is not in the position it should normally be in, or the person is unresponsive, you should not hesitate for a second to dial the emergency number! Because this is a dangerous and risky situation and movements should be avoided at all costs.

Until rescue and emergency medical services arrive, you should do everything you can to make the victim feel comfortable and safe.

 

If the neck and spine are not injured, you can lift the head and place a pillow underneath it. Cover the person and turn on some quiet music if necessary. If they are responsive, you can give them something to eat and drink. Listen to the person's wishes and complaints so that you can make the right decisions.

 

People who have fallen often complain of severe pain, even though no injuries are visible. If it is possible to get up, you should contact your family doctor or go to hospital to have the person checked over and rule out fractures, for example.

 

Expert standard on falls 

In the expert standard, falls are divided into four classes depending on their severity. The measures required depend on which class the fall belongs to:

 

 

Nora's tip: Even accidents involving falls that did not result in injuries or those that could still be intercepted should always be reported to the doctor. Because even if no treatment is necessary, there is still a reason why the balance has failed. This should be determined in order to reduce the risk in the future.

 

Emergency measures after a fall

 

If you come across a person lying on the ground, the most important thing is to check their breathing. Rarely, but circulatory failure can also be the reason for collapse.

 

 

In any case, the emergency services (144) should be notified immediately after basic care and protection. Keep an eye on the injured person and, if possible, do not leave the room until the emergency services arrive.

 

How you can also provide first aid in an emergency here explained.

 

Practice getting back up after a fall

Practice getting up again

If you have had a fall in the past, you should practise the best way to get up from the floor if no one is around to help. It is often possible to crawl to the nearest chair on the floor and pull yourself up. If you find ways for the person to help themselves, this provides additional safety and the great fear becomes a small insecurity. 

 

"If you find ways for the person to help themselves, this provides additional security and the great fear becomes a small uncertainty. It is advisable to regularly practise getting up after a fall.

 

Attract attention

You should also explain to the person how they can draw attention to themselves if - for example due to a fracture - they are unable to get up:

 

Nora's conclusion