How to lift someone off the floor: what to know first

A person on the floor is not always in danger from being on the floor. They may be able to rest where they are while you check on them and decide who to call. Lifting is a decision to make after the checks in this guide, not a reflex.

Lifting a person from the floor is physically demanding. Without training, a caregiver can strain themselves and the person can be hurt or dropped. This is one reason many care plans name who to call and what equipment to use instead of relying on one helper.

Look for signs of injury and ask the person where it hurts. Pain, swelling, an odd position of an arm or leg, bleeding or a hit to the head are all reasons to call for help and leave the person where they are. A person may say they are fine and still be hurt, so call if you are in doubt.

Speak to the person and see whether they answer clearly. If they do not respond, seem confused or are very drowsy, call emergency services and do not try to move them.

If the person can tell you what happened, listen. It helps to know whether they tripped, felt dizzy, lost their balance or fainted, and whether they hit anything on the way down. Pass this on to the responders or the healthcare professional you call. Do not decide for the person that they are unhurt.

Call emergency services using your local emergency number if any warning sign in the list above is present, or if you are unsure. Say clearly where you are, what happened and what you can see, and follow the directions of the person who answers.

If the person is not hurt and does not need an emergency response, there may still be someone to call, such as a family member, a neighbour, a home care provider or the contact named in the person's care plan. Some areas have non-emergency services that send trained helpers to a person who has fallen but is not hurt.

Trained responders know how to check an injured person and how to move them when it is safe to do so. Equipment made for helping a person from the floor also exists, and a therapist can explain what is available and who should use it. This guide does not describe how any equipment works.

Stay close, keep talking and let the person know that help is on the way. Do not leave them alone unless you must go to call for help. Ask them to tell you if anything changes, such as new pain or feeling faint.

A blanket or coat placed over the person can help keep them warm, and there is no need to move them to do it. Speak calmly and speak to the person directly, not over them. The disability etiquette guide covers respectful communication.

A care plan can say what to do after a fall for a particular person, who to call and what equipment is in the home. If the person has a care plan, keep a copy where every helper can find it. If not, ask the person's healthcare team whether one should be made.

An occupational therapist or another trained professional can look at the person and the home and show helpers what suits them, in person. This post does not replace that training and does not describe a method.

A short written plan can list who to call first, who to call next, where the phone is, and where the care plan is kept. Share it with every helper and keep it where they can see it.

Keep walkways clear of loose rugs and cords, leave room to move around furniture and through doorways, and keep the lighting good. The guide to how wide a standard wheelchair is can help you think about the space a chair needs.

A mobility aid that does not suit the person, or that is not set up properly, can add to the risk of a fall. Ask a therapist to check the fit of a chair, scooter or walking aid, and follow the maker's instructions. The most comfortable wheelchair guide and the parts of a wheelchair guide explain what to look for and what each part does. You can also read the manual wheelchair, electric wheelchair and transport chair pages, or see wheelchair accessories for add-ons.