Notes on what to do in the event of a person with Parkinson’s having a fall

1. Do not move a person who has fallen. First, call person’s name several times to see if they respond. If patient is unresponsive, call 911 immediately. Give personal information to dispatcher.
2. If patient is conscious, see if they are injured. Ask them to move arms, then legs, etc. one at a time, to see if they can do so or experience pain.
3. If patient appears to be OK, encourage them to rest where they are. Tell them not to rush to get up.
4. Give them a pillow or blanket to make them comfortable. Falling is a shock and they need time to get over it.
5. Plan with the person how, with some help from you if you are able, they can get into a sitting position. This may involve them getting on their hands and knees and crawling to a chair or couch. Or you may be able to move a chair close to them.
6. Look for a solid surface on which they can lean to pull themselves into a sitting or kneeling position.
7. When ready, patient should, crawling if necessary, get to a chair or couch that they can hold or push up from, so that they can pull themselves to a sitting position. Tell them to take their time.
8. Caregiver can sometimes help patient by grabbing their belt at their waist. Or caregiver might slip a belt around their waist before they move to hold on to.
9. When in a sitting position, encourage patient to rest. Again, don’t rush. Take time. Discuss what they will do next to get into a standing position.
10. When they are ready to stand, help them to pull themselves up into a standing position. Find a solid surface to push up from. If you are able, help by grabbing them by a belt around the waist, or by placing both your hands under their armpits. Don’t pull them up by holding their hands.
11. At any time, if the person is not able to move or get up, after resting, call 911. Note that if you are certain the person who has fallen has not hurt themselves, you can tell the dispatcher that. Explain that they have Parkinson’s. Often then a policeman will simply come and help lift the person up and into bed or to a chair.