Supporting an Elderly Relative After a Fall

It’s never nice to experience an injury as a result of a trip or fall, but for senior citizens, these incidents can have more severe effects. This can lead to a longer recovery time, as well as the worry that they can’t get back up if no one is there to help them, which could mean they’re stuck in pain on the ground for a long time and this is a traumatic experience. If an elderly relative of yours has recently suffered a fall, here are some ways you can help them recover.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is needed after any moderate or serious injury to help the body heal properly and be able to return to its normal flexibility and functions. Your relative’s doctor is likely to recommend this and will state the length of time this kind of therapy should take. While a professional physiotherapist will do the bulk of the work, it’s good to still do some exercises at home between sessions to build up muscle strength and avoid joints seizing up. Ask your relative’s therapist for advice and help them do these exercises at home.

Rehab Facilities

If your relative’s fall was more severe, more intensive help might be needed to get them back on their feet. Time spent at a short-term rehabilitation facility could be the answer, and here they will get all the support they need so they can return home safely. On-site, there will be a professional physical therapist and other support staff to attend to your relative’s needs, including general assistance with things like food, getting dressed, etc.

Emotional Support

As well as making sure they are getting the right treatment to physically heal; it’s also important to provide emotional support as well. As mentioned previously, a fall for a senior citizen could be a traumatic experience for them, and they might be afraid to be left alone at home or try to do certain things because their confidence in their abilities has been reduced. Staying with them for a short period until they feel safe alone again could be an option, but just talking to them about how they’re feeling and giving some gentle encouragement by taking them out for walks or assisting them with certain tasks to boost their confidence are some ways you can do this.

Help Them at Home

Even if they don’t want or need you to move in with them, make sure you are around to help them at home, even if it’s just popping in to check on them a couple of times a week. Do their grocery shopping for them so they have nutritious food to help their recovery and maintain a balanced diet. Offer to do household chores for them if they’re still healing from their injury, or run other errands for them. They’ll appreciate the help, and it will be one less thing for them to worry about during their recovery period.

It’s never nice to suffer from an injury, so if you want to show your support to your elderly relative who has recently had a fall or another accident, above are some suggestions on how you can do this.