How to Recover from a Fall – Both Physically and Mentally

Updated July 2, 2024

Recovering from a fall injury can be a long and difficult process. Seniors recovering from falls may have a range of experiences and emotions – from physical pain and embarrassment to the loss of independence and emotional security. While a medical alert system, especially one with fall detection, is a great way to provide security and peace of mind to anyone who is at risk of falling, here are some other useful fall recovery tips.

Many seniors will experience delayed healing after a fall or injury. Common conditions, such as diabetes, can negatively affect wound healing because of elevated blood sugar. Similarly, elderly adults often have a delayed inflammatory response, which means any cuts that result from a fall are more susceptible to infection.

A great way to speed up physical recovery is to regularly visit a physical therapist. This medical professional can help you regain the physical and emotional confidence necessary to return to everyday activities. In these sessions, the physical therapist may adjust and flex joints, strengthen muscles, provide massage, and work with you to develop stretches and exercises that restore movement and speed recovery.

Once a fall victim has fully or partially recovered, it is important that they stay active. Strengthening the lower body is a great way to help avoid future falls. A physical therapist will teach various exercises to improve strength and balance, which can help prevent further injury, and may recommend a med alert with fall detection.

Senior falls can be traumatic. For some, it may cause a loss of independence. For others, it may be an embarrassing reminder that our bodies aren't as strong and resilient as they once were. Alongside physical therapy, emotional recovery should be a priority. Injury can cause long-lasting psychological harm, so it’s important to seek help for this facet of your recovery.

The best way to do this is to see a licensed counselor or mental health professional. Speaking to a therapist can help process the fall and its consequences, as well as provide the support and confidence needed to develop regular exercise plans, safeguard homes against falls, and institute additional safety measures.

For some, a bad fall may result in a change in living situation, like moving in with a family member or into an assisted living facility. If this happens, seeking emotional help and support is extremely important. Transitions can be difficult, especially when they are catalyzed by a sudden and unexpected event or accident.

Falls are inevitable, but you can always shore up your emergency support system. If you’ve recently experienced a fall, now is a good time to think about wearing a medical alert system. These devices can help you feel safe in your home again. The medical alert systems from Alert1 are available with added fall detection, too, which means you will be able to seek emergency help without needing to press a button. Our prices are lower than Life Alert’s costs, and our products are designed to seamlessly and affordably fit into your senior lifestyle.