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According to the CDC, falls are the most common cause of injury for the elderly. A fall sometimes signs a new ailment that may need treatment, but falls could also injure elderly people, introducing another illness that needs proper care. So, knowing what to do can make a huge difference in their health.
When an elderly person has fallen off the toilet, stay calm and assess if there are broken bones. Call 911 if there’s a bone fracture or a dislocation. However, if you confirm that there are no broken bones, you can proceed to help your loved one sit or stand up again.
Further in this article, I’d explain in detail what you should do when an older person falls. I’ll also give you a few tips to help prevent or, at the very least, reduce falls for them.
How To Help an Elderly Person that Falls off the Toilet
When an older person falls off the toilet, and you find them on the floor, resist the urge to pull them off the floor. You need to check in with them first to understand their condition and provide guidance on what to do next.
Here are a few actions to take:
1. Check To See if They Are Okay
Assessment is the first thing to do when an older person falls. You need to assess them and get feedback to learn how they feel.
In addition, you should ask them if they think they may have a broken bone due to the fall. The neck, hips, and back are the most common places to check.
2. Call for Medical Attention
If they have a broken bone, a complaint of dizziness, drowsiness, or a reluctance to get up, you may need to call 911 for medical attention. While waiting for the medics, you should keep your loved one warm with a towel or blanket and stay by their side.
3. Try To Get Them To Sit or Stand
If you confirm that there are no dislocations or fractures, you can try helping them get into a sitting or standing position (whichever they prefer). However, the position you find your loved one in will determine which method to use. There are three basic methods you can use in the scenarios below:
All methods explained below will require that you get the person to lie down on their side first. They should lie on their left. From lying positions, you can then progress to a crawling position, then to a sitting or standing position.
How To Help the Person Get Up If They Are Lying Face Down (Prone Lying Position)
If the older person is lying face down or in a prone lying position, they should try to get a palm flat on the ground.
Ask them to push just enough to get them off the floor while you try and push their hips and shoulders to make it easier for them to roll over to one side, preferably their left side. Then, help pull them up into a sitting position.
How To Help the Person Get Up If They Are Lying on Their Back (Supine Lying Position)
You’ll have to fold their knees up, with their feet flat on the ground, to roll them over their left hand, which should be tucked just under their body.
When you’ve successfully rolled them over to their side, grab their hand or offer a sturdy chair to help them sit up and eventually stand.
How To Help the Person Get Up If They Are Lying on Their Side
For this method, get two sturdy chairs and place one near the head and the other at the feet. Take the older person’s upper hand and put their palm flat on the floor.
Next, curl the upper knee forward. You should straighten their lower leg to create room for maneuvering into a crawling position.
You can gently pull the older person up from the waist while lifting their lower shoulder to help them move into a crawling position.
Then, pull the chair in front of them closer so they can hold it and get into a kneeling position. Meanwhile, move the other chair behind them, place it on the back of their knees, and ask them to sit.
At this stage, it is essential to make sure they are okay. Wait for a few minutes to be certain.
This Youtube video can help guide you through the process:
Also, it is essential to note that if you are not strong enough or the older person is heavier than you, it’s best to get help.
Tips To Prevent and Limit Falls in the Toilet in the Future
You can do a few things to prevent or limit falls for your elderly loved one. You can:
- Provide toilet safety rails or grab bars. I recommend installing grab bars or toilet safety rails. An excellent example is the KMINA toilet safety rails for the elderly (on Amazon), which are sturdy and easy to keep clean.
- Change their bathroom mats to kitchen mats. Because bathroom mats are thick and fluffy, they tend to get slippery when wet. Instead, I recommend changing their regular bathroom mats to kitchen mats. You can find good, thin, non-skid kitchen mats like MontVoo Kitchen Rugs on Amazon to prevent slipping and falling in the bathroom.
- Provide raised toilet seats. Low toilet seats can be a problem for older people. Therefore, you should install raised toilet seats in their bathrooms. I recommend this Raised Toilet Seat (available on Amazon.com) since it’s just the right height for most people and is very easy to install and clean.
Bidets are suitable for the elderly. But do you know why? Click on the link to learn more about why bidets are suitable for the elderly. 4 Reasons Why Bidets Are Good for the Elderly
Final Thoughts
If an elderly person falls off the toilet, you’ll need to help them ensure they are not injured and give them a hand getting up. There are several ways to help an older adult stand back up after a fall, but be sure to call medical professionals at 911 if the person is injured.
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