[Health & Wellness] Accidental Falls at Home
Applicable Scenarios: Accidentally slipping or falling in the bathroom, kitchen, or living room; suffering an injury that leaves you temporarily unable to stand up when no one else is around to help.
Self-Help & Quick Solutions
- Stay Calm and Assess on the Spot: Do not scramble to get up immediately after a fall. Lie on the ground for a few minutes, take deep breaths, gently move your limbs, and check your head, neck, and hips for severe pain or signs of a fracture.
- Crawl Slowly for Support: If you do not feel any severe fractures, roll over onto your hands and knees. Slowly crawl to the nearest sturdy piece of furniture (such as a stable chair or the edge of the bed). Place your hands on the seat, use your leg strength to slowly push yourself up, and sit down to rest.
- Use Nearby Items to Call for Help: If you are completely unable to stand, try to crawl or scoot to reach your cell phone, landline, or emergency medical alert bracelet/pendant (e.g., Lifeline). If those are out of reach, use a hard object nearby (like a slipper or cane) to bang on the floor or wall, and shout loudly to alert your neighbors.
Who to Contact
- Emergencies (Severe Injury / Unable to Move / Heavy Bleeding): Dial 911 immediately for an ambulance.
- Non-Emergencies Needing Lift Assistance (Uninjured but Unable to Get Up): Dial 211 (BC’s non-emergency helpline) or contact your pre-arranged emergency contacts or neighbors.
- Long-Term Prevention: It is strongly recommended that individuals living alone get a wearable medical alert system with automatic fall detection (such as those from Lifeline or Philips Cares).
What is the safest way to try and get up after experiencing an accidental fall at home when no one else is around?
Do not scramble to get up immediately. Lie on the ground for a few minutes, take deep breaths, and gently move your limbs to check for severe pain or signs of a fracture. If you feel it is safe, roll over onto your hands and knees. Slowly crawl to the nearest sturdy piece of furniture (such as a stable chair or the edge of the bed). Place your hands on the seat, use your leg strength to slowly push yourself up, and sit down to rest. For comprehensive safety tips, check the HealthLink BC Seniors’ Fall Prevention resources.
Who should I call in British Columbia if I have fallen and am uninjured, but physically unable to get back up?
If you have suffered a severe injury, heavy bleeding, or are unable to move due to trauma, dial 911 immediately for an ambulance. However, if you are completely uninjured but require non-emergency lift assistance, you can dial BC 211 (BC’s non-emergency helpline). This service connects individuals to local community supports and non-emergency resources without overwhelming local paramedic services.