What to Do After a Fall: How to Get Up Safely and When to Call 911

What to Do After a Fall: A Calm, Step-by-Step Guide

When to call 911

• If you are hurt or can't get up on your own, call 911 or ask someone to help.[1]
• If someone else fell and is not responding, call 911 and follow the dispatcher's instructions. See our CPR guide.
• A fall with a hit to the head needs a doctor right away, even if the person seems fine, especially if they take a blood thinner.[2]

Key takeaways

• Don't rush. Stay still, breathe, and decide if you are hurt first.[1]
• If you're not hurt, roll to your side, crawl to a sturdy chair, and rise slowly.[1]
• Tell your doctor about every fall, even one with no pain.[1]
• One fall doubles the chance of falling again, so a fall is a signal to act.[2]

Why this matters

More than one in four people 65 and older fall each year, but less than half tell their doctor.[2] About 37% of people who fall report an injury that needed treatment or limited their activity for at least a day.[2] Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury in older adults.[2]

If you fall: step by step

These steps are from the National Institute on Aging.[1]

1. Breathe. Take several deep breaths. Stay still on the floor for a few moments to get over the shock.
2. Decide if you're hurt. Getting up too fast, or the wrong way, can make an injury worse.
3. If you think you can get up safely, roll onto your side. Rest again so your body and blood pressure can adjust.
4. Get on your hands and knees slowly and crawl to a sturdy chair.
5. Put your hands on the chair seat. Slide one foot forward so it is flat on the floor. Keep the other knee on the floor.
6. Rise slowly from this kneeling position and turn to sit in the chair.
7. If you're hurt or can't get up, get help. Call out, use your phone, or call 911. If you're alone, get as comfortable as you can and wait for help.

If someone else falls

• Don't pull them up right away. Let them rest and ask where it hurts.
• If they're hurt, can't move, or are confused, call 911 and keep them warm and still until help comes.
• If they're not hurt, coach them through the chair method above. Steady the chair; don't lift their full weight.
• If they hit their head, they should see a doctor right away, even if they feel fine.[2]

Be ready before a fall happens

NIA suggests:[1]

• Keep a charged cordless or mobile phone with you at all times.
• Arrange daily contact with a family member or friend.
• Consider an emergency response system, a button on a necklace or bracelet that calls for help. Some smartwatches have this feature too.

Thinking about a help button? Read Medical alert systems for seniors.

After the fall: see your doctor

Always tell your doctor about a fall, even if you didn't feel pain.[1] A fall can point to a new health problem, or to issues with medicines or eyesight that can be fixed.[1] Your doctor may suggest physical therapy or a walking aid.[1]

Things your doctor may look at, based on CDC's list of fall risk factors:[2]

• Leg weakness and balance or walking problems
• Medicines that cause dizziness or sleepiness, including some over-the-counter ones. See our medication safety guide.
• Vision problems
• Foot pain or poor shoes
• Low vitamin D
• Home hazards such as clutter, throw rugs, or broken steps

Bone health matters too. Strong bones may help prevent a fall from becoming a broken hip.[1] See Bone density and osteoporosis.

Fear of falling

Many people become afraid of falling after a fall, even without injury.[2] That fear can lead to doing less, which weakens muscles and raises the chance of another fall.[2] Staying active, with your doctor's OK, helps prevent falls.[1]

Want to know your risk? Try our

. Then build strength safely with

.

Make your home safer

• Grab bars and bathroom safety

• Home safety checklist for seniors

• Balance exercises for seniors

FAQ

Should I get up right after a fall? No. NIA advises staying still for a few moments and deciding if you're hurt before trying to get up.[1]

How do you get up from the floor after a fall? Roll to your side, rest, get on hands and knees, crawl to a sturdy chair, put one foot flat, and rise slowly to sit.[1]

Do I need to see a doctor if I wasn't hurt? Tell your doctor about any fall. It can reveal problems that can be fixed.[1]

What if an older person hits their head? They should see a doctor right away, especially if they take blood thinners.[2]

Sources

1. National Institute on Aging. Falls and Fractures in Older Adults: Causes and Prevention. NIH/NIA. n.d. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/falls-and-fractures-older-adults-causes-and-prevention. Accessed October 30, 2026.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facts About Older Adult Falls. CDC STEADI program. 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/index.html. Accessed October 30, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is for general education only and is not medical, legal, or financial advice. Talk to your doctor, a licensed attorney, or a SHIP counselor (Medicare) about your situation. In an emergency, call 911.

Attribution

Portions of this page are adapted from "HowToLiveBetter" (高性价比人生指南) by eternity4719, https://github.com/eternity4719/HowToLiveBetter, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Changes: topic and evidence approach adapted from Chapter 13 (Emergencies: helping an older person who has fallen); rewritten for the U.S. context and re-sourced to U.S. research and official guidance. Not a direct translation.