How to lift elderly from floor?

Seeing an elderly person fall is distressing. You want to help them up immediately, but doing it wrong can cause more harm. What's the correct way?

To lift a fallen elderly person, first assess for injuries. If they are unhurt and can assist, use proper techniques with sturdy supports or a lift aid. If they are weak or injured, a mechanical lift is essential to prevent further harm.

The moment an older adult falls, a rush of concern goes through you. My experience at VOCIC, where we focus on helping seniors, has taught me that the actions taken right after a fall are critical. It's not just about getting them back on their feet; it's about doing so safely and gently. Let's explore the steps and tools that can help.

What to do when an elderly person is falling?

Witnessing a fall is shocking. Quick action is needed, but what's the right action to prevent more harm as they are actively falling?

If you see an elderly person falling, try to guide their fall to soften the landing, especially protecting their head. Do not try to catch their full weight, as this could injure both of you. Clear the area of hazards if possible.

It’s a split-second reaction. You see them start to go down, and your instinct is to grab them. I've talked to many caregivers, and this is a common scenario. While the intention is good, trying to abruptly stop a fall or catch the full weight of an adult can be dangerous. Both the person falling and you could get hurt. Instead, the goal is to minimize injury as they descend.

Immediate Actions During a Fall

• Try to Guide, Not Catch: If you are close enough and can react safely, try to control the direction of the fall. Your aim is to slow their descent and guide them towards the floor, rather than trying to hold their entire body weight up. This can prevent a more jarring impact.
• Protect the Head: This is the most critical part. If possible, try to cushion their head with your hand, arm, or even by guiding them so their body takes more of the impact than their head. If there's a pillow or soft object nearby you can quickly grab and place, use it.
• Bend Your Knees: If you are trying to guide them, remember to bend your knees and keep your back as straight as possible. This helps protect you from injury.
• Clear Immediate Obstacles: If there's something sharp or hard directly in their fall path that you can quickly kick or push aside without endangering yourself, do so.

Once they are on the floor, the next set of actions begins. It’s important to remember that preventing falls in the first place is always the best strategy. At VOCIC, while we provide solutions for after a fall, we also believe in creating environments that reduce fall risks. But when a fall does happen, knowing how to react during the fall can make a difference before you even think about lifting them.

How to lift a heavy elderly person off the floor?

An elderly person has fallen, and they're heavy. You want to help, but the fear of injuring yourself or them by lifting improperly is very real. How do you manage this challenging situation safely?

For a heavy elderly person, never attempt a manual lift alone or without proper training. The safest method is to use a mechanical lift aid, such as a Hoyer lift (patient hoist), an inflatable lifting cushion, or a specialized floor recovery lift chair.

Lifting a heavy person from the floor is one of the most physically demanding tasks a caregiver can face. I've heard from many of our customers about the strain and anxiety this causes. The term "dead weight" is often used because a person who cannot assist in the lift presents a significant challenge. Attempting to lift manually can lead to serious back, shoulder, or knee injuries for the caregiver, and can also cause pain or injury to the fallen person, especially if they have fragile skin or underlying conditions.

Why Mechanical Aids are Essential

When someone is heavy, relying on brute strength is not a safe or sustainable solution. Mechanical aids are designed to do the heavy work, ensuring both safety and dignity.

• Patient Hoists (e.g., Hoyer Lifts): These use a sling that cradles the person. The hoist then lifts them mechanically.
  • How they work: A sling is carefully positioned under the person, attached to the lift's arm, and then a hydraulic or electric mechanism lifts them. They can then be transferred to a bed or chair.
  • Pros: Very effective for non-weight-bearing individuals. Reduces caregiver strain significantly.
  • Cons: Can require space to maneuver. Proper sling application and training are crucial for safety.
• Inflatable Lifting Cushions: These are placed under the person and gradually inflate.
  • How they work: The deflated cushion is rolled under the person. An air pump then inflates it in sections, bringing the person to a seated height from which they can more easily stand or transfer.
  • Pros: Portable, can be used in tighter spaces. Gentle lift.
  • Cons: Requires a power source for the pump. The person needs some upper body stability as they are raised.
• Floor Recovery Lift Chairs: Some specialized chairs, like those we at VOCIC aim to provide, are designed to scoop or gently lift a person from the floor to a seated position.
  • How they work: The chair is positioned, and a mechanism helps to lift the person from the floor into the seat.
  • Pros: Can be very user-friendly for the caregiver. Designed to be comfortable and secure for the person being lifted.
  • Cons: May be bulkier than inflatable options, specific models vary.

I know from talking to families that the investment in such a device can seem like a big step, but when you consider the potential cost of injury (to either the senior or the caregiver), it's a vital safety measure. Our goal at VOCIC has always been to develop aids that are not only effective but also practical for home use, because lifting a heavy person safely should not be an impossible task.

Lift Aid Type	Primary Mechanism	Ideal For	Key Considerations
Patient Hoist/Sling Lift	Sling & Mechanical Lift	Non-weight bearing, heavy individuals	Requires space, training, correct sling placement
Inflatable Lifting Cushion	Air inflation	Individuals with some upper body control	Needs power, gradual lift, ensure stability
Floor Recovery Lift Chair	Mechanical lift into seat	Those needing transfer from floor to seated	Varies by model, check weight capacity, ease of use

How to pick up an old person who has fallen?

An older adult has fallen. You need to get them up, but their fragility is a major concern. What's the safest general approach to help them from the floor?

First and foremost, assess them for any injuries. If they seem unhurt and are able to assist, guide them to crawl to a sturdy chair and use it to push themselves up. If a lift assist device is available, use it. Avoid pulling their arms or rushing the process.

When an older person falls, our immediate instinct is to help them up as quickly as possible. However, as I've learned through my work at VOCIC and from countless interactions with seniors and their families, a careful, methodical approach is far safer. Seniors are a particularly vulnerable group, and preventing secondary injuries during the lift is paramount.

Step 1: Assess Before Assisting

Before you even think about lifting, take a moment to check on them.

• Talk to Them: Ask if they are hurt and where. Are they conscious and alert?
• Look for Obvious Injuries: Check for bleeding, swelling, or limbs in unnatural positions. Pain in the hip, back, or head is a major red flag.
• When to Call for Help: If they hit their head, lost consciousness (even briefly), complain of severe pain, or if you suspect a broken bone, call emergency medical services immediately. Do not attempt to move them.

Step 2: The Lifting Process (If No Serious Injury and They Can Help)

If they appear uninjured, are alert, and feel they can try to get up with assistance:

• Clear Communication: Explain exactly what you are going to do, step by step. Ensure they understand and can follow your instructions.
• The Chair Method (If Able):
  1. Help them roll onto their side, then push up to a hands-and-knees position if possible.
  2. Have them crawl to a sturdy, stable chair.
  3. Instruct them to place their hands firmly on the seat of the chair.
  4. Guide them to bring one foot forward, placing it flat on the floor, knee bent.
  5. With you steadying them (not lifting their full weight), have them use their arms and legs to push themselves up to a seated position on the chair, or to a standing position.
• Using a Lift Assist Device: If you have a device like a transfer belt, a specialized lifting cushion, or one of our VOCIC lift chairs designed for floor recovery, this is the ideal time to use it. These tools are made to support the person and reduce strain on both of you.
• Things to AVOID:
  • Never pull them up by their arms or hands. This can cause shoulder dislocations or skin tears.
  • Don't rush. Allow them to move at their own pace.
  • Don't try to lift them if you feel it's beyond your physical capability, even if they say they can help. Wait for assistance or use a mechanical aid.

I always emphasize to families that using the correct tools and methods is so important. It’s not just about physical strength; it’s about technique and protecting the vulnerable person from further harm.

How to lift someone who can't get up?

They've fallen and are completely unable to get up on their own, perhaps due to weakness, injury, or shock. You feel helpless watching them on the floor. What can you do to lift them safely and with dignity?

If someone cannot get up at all due to weakness or inability to assist, a mechanical lift is essential. Options include patient hoists (Hoyer lifts), inflatable lifters, or specialized floor recovery lift chairs. These prevent injury to both the person and the caregiver.

This situation, where a person is on the floor and genuinely unable to provide any assistance in getting up, is incredibly challenging. In my experience with VOCIC, this is where the right equipment becomes absolutely non-negotiable for safety. Trying to manually lift an adult who cannot bear weight or assist is a recipe for injury – for them and for you. Seniors are an especially vulnerable group. After a fall, it's not just about getting them upright; it's critically important to prevent any secondary injuries during that lifting process.

Understanding "Can't Get Up"

This can mean several things:

• Physical Weakness: They simply don't have the muscle strength.
• Injury: Pain or a fracture prevents them from moving or bearing weight.
• Fear or Shock: The fall itself can be traumatizing, leading to an inability to coordinate movement.
• Medical Condition: Underlying conditions might make it impossible for them to assist.

Prioritizing Safety with Non-Weight Bearing Lifts

When someone cannot help, you must rely on tools designed for the task.

• Full Body Sling Lifts (e.g., Hoyer Lifts): These are often seen as the gold standard for completely dependent individuals.
  • Process: A specially designed sling is carefully rolled and placed under the person. The sling is then attached to the lift's spreader bar, and a hydraulic or electric motor smoothly lifts the person. They can then be transferred to a bed, wheelchair, or commode.
  • Importance: Requires training to use correctly, especially in positioning the sling to ensure comfort and security.
• Inflatable Lifting Devices: These offer a gentler, progressive lift.
  • Process: The deflated cushion is placed under the person. It inflates in stages, slowly raising them to a seated or near-seated position. This can be less jarring.
  • Considerations: The person needs to be relatively stable once seated, as they are brought up.
• VOCIC Lift Chairs (Floor Recovery Models): When we were designing our lift chairs at VOCIC, one of the primary scenarios we considered was precisely this: someone on the floor, unable to exert much effort on their own. We aimed for a solution that would be straightforward for a single caregiver to operate, while being safe and comfortable for the user. These chairs are designed to gently scoop or lift the person from the floor into a secure seated position.

Learning to use the right tools and correct methods is vital. It’s about protecting the person who has fallen and protecting the caregiver too. Maintaining dignity throughout this process is also key – these devices help achieve that by making the lift smoother and less physically intrusive than a manual struggle.

Conclusion

Lifting a fallen elderly person requires a calm assessment, prioritizing their safety and yours. Using correct techniques and, crucially, appropriate lift aids like those we develop at VOCIC, prevents further injury.