Caring Next Step
GuidesHandle an immediate crisis

Something feels unsafe right now

Falls and possible critical injury

Respond to a fall, recognize emergency signs, and reduce the chance of another fall.

Reviewed August 22, 2026

Your next 3 actions

  1. Do not rush to lift them. Ask what hurts. Look for bleeding, an oddly positioned limb, new weakness, or head, neck, back, or hip pain.
  2. Call 911 for critical signs. Keep the person still and warm. Follow dispatcher instructions.
  3. If there are no emergency signs, get a prompt clinical assessment. Report any head strike and all blood thinners. Write down what happened, including dizziness or loss of consciousness.

Urgent signs

Call 911 after a fall if the person:

  • cannot wake normally, becomes increasingly confused, has a seizure, vomits repeatedly, or develops a worsening headache;
  • has new weakness, slurred speech, severe imbalance, or unequal pupils;
  • cannot bear weight, has severe hip or limb pain, or has an obvious deformity;
  • has heavy bleeding, severe chest or abdominal pain, trouble breathing, or neck/back pain;
  • may have fainted before falling.

Head-injury symptoms can appear later. Follow the clinician’s monitoring and return instructions.

After the immediate injury

  • Emergency evaluation: Best for possible head, spine, hip, or internal injury. It can also check whether illness or fainting caused the fall.
  • Same-day assessment: Fits a stable person with a minor injury, but ask whether imaging or an emergency department is needed.
  • Fall-risk review: Ask primary care to review medicines, blood pressure, vision, feet, balance, strength, and home hazards.
  • Therapy or rehabilitation: Can rebuild safe transfers, walking, and daily skills. More therapy is not always better; goals and tolerance matter.

Questions to ask

  • Did an illness, heart rhythm problem, low blood pressure, or medicine contribute?
  • Was there a head strike or loss of consciousness?
  • Is walking and transferring safe now? What device and supervision are needed?
  • Which medicines raise fall or bleeding risk, and should any change?
  • What home changes must happen before return?

Common failures

  • Pulling someone up before checking for injury.
  • Assuming there is no head injury because the person initially seems fine.
  • Treating only the bruise and not the cause of the fall.
  • Buying a walker without fitting and training.
  • Restricting all activity after recovery; deconditioning can add risk.

Costs and payment basics

Ambulance, emergency, imaging, equipment, therapy, and rehabilitation may each have separate coverage rules and cost-sharing. Ask whether equipment suppliers and rehabilitation providers are in network. Medicare coverage for therapy or skilled nursing depends on clinical need and other requirements, not simply on having fallen.

King County help

Sources

Reviewed 2026-08-23.