A fifth of the fall causes significant damage, but even a small tumble may indicate that something is wrong. “Falls can be predictive of functional decline as well as future injuries,” said Lisa Caruso, director of quality and patient safety in the Department of Medicine at Boston Medical Center. That’s one reason it’s smart to tell your doctor about any falls, Caruso says, as well as any “unintentional changes in position from a higher level to a lower level,” such as slipping from a chair or roll in bed.
Tell your doctor even if you don’t think you’re hurt, says Mary Campagnolo, a family physician in Bordentown, NJ, and a member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Some injuries are not immediately apparent. Also, your doctor can help identify (and treat) the cause of your fall, whether it’s a health issue such as a vision problem, a drug side effect, or factors at home, such as throw rugs causing of tripping hazards. .
Call your doctor right away if you are in any pain from the fall. If you have difficulty moving – which could indicate a fracture – or you hit your head, seek emergency care, said Janna Friedly, a professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. (Consciousness or confusion, dizziness, headache and lightheadedness are signs of potential head trauma.)
Whether you’re seriously injured or not, your doctor will likely prescribe you physical therapy afterward, Caruso says. (If you’ve broken a bone, your doctor may also recommend a scan to check the health of your bones.) Physical therapy can help you recover if you’re injured and, if you’re not injured, can reduce the risk of future falls. “The only intervention that has been shown to have any evidence in preventing falls is activity in a supervised setting,” he said.
More serious injuries may require a long recovery process. For example, falls are a common cause of traumatic brain injury in the elderly, and it can take weeks, months or sometimes more than a year to heal. Physical therapy, adequate sleep, and good nutrition and hydration can help.
For hip fractures — more than 300,000 adults are hospitalized for them each year in the United States — surgery may be necessary. The procedure may be followed by a hospital stay of at least a few days and then weeks in a physical rehabilitation facility.
Medicare typically covers inpatient rehabilitation for about three weeks, Campagnolo said. But many people need physical therapy and need help with daily activities for longer. For different fall-related injuries, physical therapy can take months or more than a year. Some people also need occupational therapy to return to their regular activities, or speech therapy after a severe brain injury, Campagnolo said.
For anyone, loss of mobility and slow progress can be frustrating. “Try to have patience,” Caruso said.
For some people, overcoming the worry of another fall can be a challenge. Physical therapy can help you regain physical confidence, says Campagnolo. Also, those who don’t back up their activity levels are less likely to fall again – and less likely to suffer a more serious injury the next time.
An assistive device like a cane or a walker can also help you feel more stable, she says. And once you feel ready for a post-physical therapy workout, and your doctor gives the okay, you’ll want to try exercises that help build strength, balance and flexibility, experts say. You can look for tai chi classes, gentle yoga or EnhanceFitness — a group exercise program found in YMCA clubs that aims to reduce fall risks.
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