How to Recover from a Fall – Both Physically and Mentally

Recovering from an injury can be a long and daunting process. Seniors recovering from falls may have a range of experiences and emotions – from pain and embarrassment to the loss of independence and security. If you’ve recently had a fall and don’t know how to get physical and emotional support, this guide will provide some useful options. And, as always, remember that a medical alert system is a great way to provide additional security.

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 folks often have a delayed inflammatory response, which means any cuts that result from a fall are more susceptible to infection. Still, superficial harm aside, seniors will need to work hard to recover from physical trauma.

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

Once fully or partially recovered, it is important to stay active. Strengthening the lower body is a great way to help avoid future falls. Your physical therapist will teach you various exercises to improve strength and balance, which can help prevent further injury.

Falling as an elderly person can be a traumatic experience. For some, it can cause a loss of independence. For others, it can be an embarrassing reminder of an aging body. Alongside physical therapies, emotional recovery should remain 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 mental health professional – even if the full effects of emotional trauma have yet to manifest. Seeing a therapist or psychoanalyst as a preventative measure can help elderly folks come to terms with newfound physical weakness. This can also 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 an event out of a senior’s control. 

Falls are inevitable, but you can always sure up your emergency support system. If you’ve recently experienced a fall, now is a good time to think about purchasing 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 fit into your senior lifestyle.