Falling over, can’t get up.

I think you’re right JenniferE re leg strengthening exercises.
I can’t get up from a squat now or even get down to a really low squat in the first place.

Good advice Aveline I’ve had a few falls at home and I use my community alarm to get the falls team who come with a piece of equipment to get me back up on to my feet again. I’d never venture out alone or go to places which may be risky for me to fall over

I fell when walking the dog and felt an absolute idiot as I had to crawl to the nearest tree to get up. I’m so glad no one saw me! But it would be a real issue if I had no means of support to haul myself up again.

watermeadow sorry you fell. You say you have trouble getting out of a bath. If that is the case please have your bathroom altered to a shower room. If you are or PIP or other disability benefits or someone in your household does them get in touch with your local council there are grants that can be had. Plus if you pay privately to have it altered because of health reasons as long as its fitted by a tradesperson you can claim back the VAT on the fittings that's toilet ,basin ,shower and shower cubicle. But not on tiles ,lights or painting.

In my old house when my husband was diagnosed with cancer we altered our bathroom into a shower room and had a handle fitted inside. As I am disabled and without my husband I couldn't have got into the bath for a shower.

When I moved to my bungalow. There was already a shower cubicle but it was not nice but it worked well until I had it changed. I had it tiled floor and walls , an ease toilet it looks like a normal toilet it's just taller I had
a hand railed fitted on the wall at an angle to help me on and off . Basin set in a cupboard at waist height and lever mixer tap. I have a large rectangle shower cubicle which has a handled fitted both sides as some have knobs inside but I need a handle . Opposite the door is a horizontal hand rail. I use 2 rubber mats one horizontal and the our vertical. I have a shower chair that folds up and is bolted to the wall. I have to siy to shower. I had to have a chair with legs on the front padded seat and back and armrests that fold down. Also 2 caddies hold my that hold my shower things . The shower chair was expensive nearly £300 but I needed that sort to be safe.

I know you said about falling outside but it concerned me which you said about the bath.

I went to active ageing sit fit class and they taught how to get on the floor and how to get up. I tried but fell down . You are supposed to crawl to a chair get on one knee and straighten your other leg and push up using you toes to get up. One I can't put any weight on my one knee and 2 my arms collapsed twice the instructor had to help me up.

I have fallen all my life and until I was 29 could get myself up my way. But the limb jerks started then so there was no way I could get up on my own.

I moved to my bungalow 4 years ago if I fall inside I shuffle bum my way to an armchair pile 3 cushions under my right knee and pull myself up . But if I fall outside I have to have help.

I have walked with a stick since I was 29. When the limb jerks started out children were 4 and 6 months so we could go out as a family I went in a wheelchair until the children where older.

Can you use a wheeled shopping trolley with a seat. Get in touch with the occupational therapist your GP surgery can give you the number and they will come and assess what you need. I have a bed bar as she wanted to see how I got in and out of bed as I struggle to get out but until I had the bsr didn't realise I struggled to get in. It slides under your mattress and is very sturdy. I had a compression cushion to go under my legs when sitting with my legs up to ease the pain and it works. Because of my health getting worse when I was 29 my late husband had the house adapted for me . So I knew what I needed here.

When I had a new kitchen filled the worktops are wider so if I go to fall only have to put my hands out and hold on to each side my kitchen is rectangular.

My screen froze. My cupboard doors have strong handles in case I wobble when opening them. Handles outside my front and back door. Artificial lawn with a 1" pad under it with drainage holes water and rot proof. Had my gardens flatten . I don't go anywhere even in my bungalow without having my mobile phone on me.

Sorry this is a ramble but you need to make sure you are safe in your home. As well as out .

watermeadow please don't go walking in fields by yourself . I know it's a pain as we all want to maintain our independent but safety comes first. I am 65 by they way . Falling has been my life since I could walk plus being in constant pain. But you can have a good life and do what you want you just have to do things your way.

water meadow, I started a tai chi class recently. I’m one if 7molder women, the tutor is 60 and had a hip replacement a couple of years ago. It’s gentle, relaxing and does help strengthen leg muscles.

Keep on walking, take your mobile phone. There are some good trainers with stiff soles, invest in some

Sorry you’ve had a fall watermeadow but your sense of humour made me laugh when I pictured you out walking with a chair 😆

I enjoy walking in the countryside but I’m a bit more wary now as I have fallen on my hands and knees a few times in recent months. I take a single walking pole for country walks and it’s invaluable in fields and uneven ground.

I recommend an app called what3words. Every 3 metre area has its own 3 word name eg table banana bus. If you are able to use your phone to access the app if you’re incapacitated it gives you the 3 words for your precise location which you can pass to the emergency services. A police officer recommended it to me when I was chatting to him.

It might be worth a try getting yourself up from the floor. Then if you do take a tumble there is less of a panic how to get up as you have done it before. After a period of muscle myopathy and two replacement hips I can remember thinking I don’t remember how to do various things like getting out of bath and up off floor Practicing gives confidence and revives muscle memory

This is the link to the what3words app if anyone is interested. My friendly police officer recommended that everyone, young and old, should have it on their phone. Not just for your own benefit but you may come across someone who is unwell/injured and in need of urgent help. If you are walking in the countryside it can be difficult to explain exactly where you are. This pinpoints your location to within 3 metres.

apps.apple.com/gb/app/what3words-navigation-maps/id657878530

If you are out and about take a mobile phone and don’t go out of range.
If you fall anywhere relax don’t panic give yourself time to feel if anything is damaged.
Should you feel able to try and get up roll on to your side to try and get into a sitting position first of all.
Some can then do hands and knees and rise from that others need a little more assistance. But it is generally doable without panicking. And someone or something to climb up.
It’s really, really, really worth having a practice at home in a safe environment with someone around to assist if you are vulnerable as it reassures.

I have kept this old thread in my watching list. It contains some useful links. I always intended to follow them up but haven't!
www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1304789-Exercises-to-help-get-up-off-the-floor?msgid=29107995

I've fallen over in quite a few places, but never in an empty field. It's best to be where there are other people around - not that I ever planned to fall. The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze and delight me.

I've found going on to your hands and knees, then going into a semi downward dog (yoga) then walking your hands back makes getting up easier.

Callistemon21

I've found going on to your hands and knees, then going into a semi downward dog (yoga) then walking your hands back makes getting up easier.

I do that too. I won't be winning any prizes for elegance.

My most recent tumble was walking with my daughter and family and too busy chatting and tripped stepping on the pavement and down with a thump on my hands and knees. I couldn’t get onto my knees to get up as they were both cut and stinging like mad. My poor grandchildren looked horrified although I did my best to laugh it off and my son in law hauled me to my feet 🙈

You are right Callistemon21. I have used that method, it also helps if you widen the space between your feet . Just a bit mind! I have shown that method to friends much to their amusement.

👍

MayBee as corner said there is no surgical/medical reason for those of us with knee replacement to kneel- it is just too painful for me even with cushions so I try so hard for a fall not to happen.

This old age lark is not for wimps.

Callistemon21

I've found going on to your hands and knees, then going into a semi downward dog (yoga) then walking your hands back makes getting up easier.

I think, as Calli suggests, practise and get inventive according to your own ability. Obviously a mobile 'phone is a wonderful comfort, especially if out walking. Indoors, some of the suggestions from this Occupational Therapist's video with regard to being creative sound promising.

I don't have any stairs but they can be really useful after falling indoors, especially for those who really can't use their knees.
If you fall and are struggling to get up off the floor, a bottom shuffle to the bottom of the stairs, turning around and then using the stairs to sit upon to whatever height, whilst firmly holding the spindle, should get you to your feet. An upstairs fall? Another bottom shuffle or similar to the top of the stairs, gradually sticking your legs over the edge and choosing a tread whilst holding tight to the spindle should ultimately put you in a good position to sit up with feet braced (maybe one, below the other) and the 'oomph' needed to stand up again when you're ready.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ETgQD8QhZs

Leg strengthening exercises have been mentioned. A simple but good exercise is to cross your hands across your chest and then stand up and sit down. We haven’t got a suitable chair so I use the edge of the bed.

growstuff

Callistemon21

I've found going on to your hands and knees, then going into a semi downward dog (yoga) then walking your hands back makes getting up easier.

I do that too. I won't be winning any prizes for elegance.

I do that, too.

I'm 64, had a stroke 2 years ago (until then, I did Zumba 4 times a week). I struggle to get in the bath, as well as out, so just shower. I practice getting up from the floor, weekly. I find it difficult without holding onto a chair. I think leg-strengthening exercises are useful, too.

Would doing exercises to strengthen the muscles in your legs and arms help? Get a referral to a physiotherapist or refer your self to CONNECT Health, a franchised out part of the NHS.

Thanks for tips, everyone. I’ve been doing exercises but no improvement yet.
I have a shower, which I hate with a passion.
Once I tripped outside our bike shop and a troop of young men rushed out to pick me up and capture my dog. That’s the best place to fall over!

I would always take either one or two walking sticks with you. I take the ones used for crosscountry walking. You can push one into the ground to give some stability to hold onto if you fall again.. and as others have said roll round onto your habds and knees first...