An elderly person falling can be a momentous life event. Falls are the number one cause of hospitalizations for seniors in the United States and kill hundreds of people in Arizona each year.
If you or someone you love has recently suffered a fall, especially if they are elderly, we encourage them to be checked out by a doctor. While some falls seem to be minor at first, there are a number of issues and symptoms you should watch out for afterward that can be representative of a larger problem.
Haven Health in Arizona is dedicated to fall prevention inside of our facilities and out. Additionally, if you or your loved ones need memory or skilled nursing care, think Haven Health.
Why Falls Are Serious For Seniors
Falls are serious for seniors due to the risk of serious injury. Falls can easily break bones, cause sprains, and even trigger life-altering events, like heart attacks and strokes. Falls should be taken extremely seriously anytime they happen, and we encourage any elderly person who falls to be examined by a doctor.
Falls can also be indicative of a serious underlying problem that is not being properly addressed. These can include conditions such as high or low blood pressure, vertigo, and diabetes.
Another concern is delayed symptoms. You or your loved one may appear fine immediately after the event but develop serious issues hours or even days later. Conditions, such as head or spinal trauma, may not show up until it’s too late.
Eight Symptoms To Look Out For After A Fall In The Elderly
After any fall, close monitoring of injuries and condition is key. The symptoms below may indicate something is medically wrong, and you should be seen by a doctor or hospital right away.
If you or your loved ones display any of these symptoms, don’t delay, as shorter time to treatment often results in better outcomes, especially when it comes to head or vascular injuries.
- Head injury or confusion: If a fall is accompanied by a head injury or confusion, this is a sign you should visit an emergency room or call an ambulance. This can be an indication of brain or spinal trauma that needs immediate attention.
- Persistent pain or swelling: If pain and swelling don’t go away after a few days following an injury for a fall, see a doctor. Persistence in pain or swelling may mean there is a more serious injury below the surface, or the body is not healing correctly.
- Bruising or bleeding: Bruising of bleeding is indicative of vascular damage and may be an indication that there are additional issues present, such as internal bleeding.
- Difficulty walking or standing: Struggling to walk or stand can be another indication or head or spinal trauma. Call 911 or visit an emergency room immediately.
- Dizziness or balance issues: Dizziness or balance issues also point toward head or spinal trauma and should be examined promptly.
- Changes in behavior or alertness: Sudden mood changes, like confusion or agitation, can also signal trouble with the brain and nervous system.
- Shortness of breath or chest pain: Shortness of breath or chest pain can indicate a heart attack or other issue with the cardiovascular system. See a doctor immediately, as time equals heart muscle loss when it comes to a heart attack.
- Nausea or vomiting: Upset stomach after a fall should never be ignored, as it can indicate head trauma.
We encourage all seniors to see a doctor after a fall, but if you have any of the above symptoms, seek help immediately.
How Skilled Nursing Can Help
Recovering from a fall often requires much more medical intervention than just rest. Haven Health’s skilled nursing provides monitoring, rehabilitation, future fall prevention, and recovery support for elderly people across the state of Arizona.
Our rehabilitation services also include physical and occupational therapy, and help seniors regain the strength, balance, and confidence to prevent falls in the future, as well as deal with any lasting complications that may be present.
Why Choose Haven Health?
When you choose Haven Health in Arizona, you’ll be choosing experienced and friendly care teams, outstanding rehabilitation services, and multiple convenient Arizona locations, so you’re never far from your family.
If you or your loved ones are looking for skilled nursing or memory care in Arizona, think Haven Health. We’re always willing to answer questions on the phone and offer tours of our facilities. Call today and receive the best care Arizona has to offer.
Sources:
Facts about Falls. (2026).
Falls and Fractures in Older Adults: Causes and Prevention. (2022).
Hunzinger, K., et al. (2023). Associations Between Head Injury and Subsequent Risk of Falls: Results From the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.