Recovering after a fall

Missing a step, tripping on a rug or turning too quickly are just some of the many reasons people fall. The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports that one out of five falls causes a serious injury like a broken bone or head trauma. More than 95 percent of hip fractures are caused by falls and falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Even if nothing is broken or injured during a fall, the experience of falling can create a fear that can be life-changing. The fear is very real since falling once doubles your chances of falling again according to the Centers for Disease Control.

When a fall occurs
Reacting too quickly after a fall can cause additional problems. Instead of trying to get up immediately, the National Institutes of Health suggests taking a few moments to gain control. First, take several deep breaths while remaining on the floor. These few moments will help you get over the shock of falling. When you feel calm, try to determine if anything hurts. Getting up on a broken bone can complicate the break. If nothing feels broken, then try rolling to your side and rest until you feel that your blood pressure has adjusted. If possible, crawl on your hands and knees to a chair. Place your hands on the seat of the chair and slide one foot forward so it is flat on the floor. Use your hands and this one foot to pull yourself up slowly and into the chair.

If movement is too painful, ask someone for help or call 911. Find a comfortable position and stay in place until help arrives.

Mending after a fall
The most common bones to break during a fall are in the spine, hip or wrist. Surgery is sometimes required to repair the break, especially for a broken hip. In order for broken bones to heal, there needs to be a time of limited movement. When the break has healed, it is important to undergo proper therapy to regain strength and flexibility.

Head injuries 
Depending upon the seriousness of the head injury, proper care is needed to control bleeding in the brain or other issues. Recovering from a brain injury may mean experiencing headaches, a loss of balance or fatigue for a period of time. In some cases, surgery may be needed to control bleeding or swelling.

Overcoming the fear
After a fall, it is common to have a fear of falling again even after a complete recovery. This fear causes some people to limit their activity, which can actually increase the risk of another fall as the bones and muscles become weak due to decreased movement. A fear of falling may also cause people to stay home away from family and friends and begin to feel isolated and depressed.

Overcoming this fear is important. The National Institutes of Health suggests talking to a doctor or a physical therapist who can help reduce fall risk factors. A doctor can adjust medications that might cause dizziness. A physical therapist can help with exercises to improve balance and strength to reduce the chance of falling. Getting your eyes checked is also a good idea to make sure you can see where you are walking. Finally, remove trip hazards like throw rugs, keep your home well lit and install railings to make you feel safer while moving around the home.

A safer recovery option
Falling and breaking a hip or experiencing another serious injury requires a time of recovery. The best way to assure a fast, safe and effective recovery is to choose a premiere rehabilitation center like Whitehall of Deerfield. With a dedicated team taking care of all your needs, you can focus on getting back to life before the fall.

At Whitehall of Deerfield, highly-skilled therapists work with guests to regain their ability to return to an active lifestyle. Since no two people have the same set of needs, therapy sessions are conducted one-on-one so that the physical therapists can focus solely on your specific needs and continually encourage you to push forward to reach your personal goals. The occupational therapists can also help with suggestions for devices and strategies to prevent future falls.

At Whitehall of Deerfield, guests enjoy their luxurious stay in well-appointed rooms with an array of amenities including high-speed wireless Internet, concierge service, daily delivery of Starbucks coffee and newspaper, dozens of cable channels with a 24-hour channel of newly released movies and even valet parking for visitors.

Guests can also enjoy a wide-ranging choice of cuisine from selective menus as well as a variety of dining settings. An on-site ice cream parlor and coffee shop offer fresh baked goods in the mornings and ice cream treats in afternoon as well as gourmet coffee all day long.

To learn more or schedule a tour, visit whitehallofdeerfield.com or call 847-945-4600.

Copyright © 2017, Chicago Tribune