What to Do After an Older Parent Falls in Brevard County
After the immediate emergency, treat the fall as a signal that the home plan needs review.
Start here
If there may be a head, neck, hip, or other serious injury—or the person cannot safely get up—call 911 and do not lift them yourself. After urgent care is handled, get the evaluation and discharge instructions in writing and ask for a medication review, mobility assessment, equipment, and home-health or therapy orders before going home.
What to have in front of you
- Discharge summary and imaging results
- Updated medication list, including over-the-counter medicines
- Notes on where, when, and how the fall happened
- Current walker, cane, footwear, vision, and hearing concerns
- Photos or measurements of the fall location for the clinician or therapist
What to say when someone answers
“This fall changed what feels safe at home. Before discharge, please document the likely causes, reconcile medications, assess walking and transfers, order any equipment or home health needed, and tell us which warning signs require a return.”
Small but useful: Write down the person’s name, the date, the exact next step, and when you should call again.
Do this in order
- 1
Evaluation: follow the emergency team’s instructions and get written results.
- 2
Medication: ask a clinician or pharmacist to review medicines that can affect blood pressure, balance, alertness, or blood sugar.
- 3
Mobility: ask whether PT, OT, home health, or a fall-risk assessment is appropriate.
- 4
Equipment: get a proper order and fit for any walker, wheelchair, bedside commode, or other device.
- 5
Home: fix the specific hazard, then review lighting, paths, bathroom setup, footwear, and pet or cord obstacles.
- 6
Follow-up: schedule the visit and transportation before the date is lost.
What happens next
The next steps depend on injury and cause. A fall-prevention class can help later, but it does not replace clinical evaluation after a new fall or a skilled assessment of the home and equipment.
If they say “we’ll put you on the list”
If the emergency visit sends the person home without a workable plan, call the primary-care office promptly with the discharge summary and ask for the missing orders. Use the hospital discharge checklist to assign equipment, home health, and follow-up tasks.
Official sources
- Florida falls prevention initiatives
- Medicare discharge planning checklist
- Medicare durable medical equipment coverage
Checked August 5, 2026. Programs, hours, funding, and enrollment lists can change. Confirm details directly before relying on them.