Hip Fracture in Elderly: Prevention, the Fall and Recovery (Video)

2:48 min

Read the full written guide: Hip Fracture in Elderly: Prevention, the Fall and Recovery →

Learn the exact actions to take the moment an older parent falls with hip pain, from keeping them still to calling emergency services. The video also covers why surgery is usually needed, a simple home recovery routine, warning signs that need a doctor, and how to prevent future falls. All advice is practical and for caregivers, not a substitute for professional medical care. For the full guide, visit thecareonline.com.

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Hip fracture? What to do in the first hour?

Hip fracture? What to do in the first hour?

Hip Fracture First Hour

Stay with me and I’ll show you the exact steps to take in the first hour after a senior falls with hip pain, plus the single habit that can save a life.

First hour actions

If an older parent falls and hurts their hip, don’t try to pull them up. Keep them still, look for any head injury or chest pain, and call emergency services right away. If you must move them, slide them on a firm board with several people and keep them warm.

Hospital gets patient up

Most hospitals aim to get the patient out of bed with help within two days after surgery.

Surgery decision

Families often wonder if surgery is worth it for an 85-year-old. The truth is that without surgery the person stays flat in bed for weeks, which brings pneumonia, blood clots, pressure sores and confusion. An operation, whether fixing the bone or replacing the top, lets them start moving sooner.

Home recovery routine

After discharge, the goal is steady, small steps each day. In the morning, sit up fully for breakfast, do the physio exercises and take a short walk with a walker. Midday, enjoy a protein-rich lunch, rest in a firm chair, then another brief walk. Evening, repeat gentle exercises, walk to the balcony, and stay hydrated.

When to call doctor

Watch for warning signs: a hot, painful calf that could mean a clot, sudden chest pain or breathlessness, fever, a wound that gets red or oozes, new confusion, or a fall again. If any of these appear, call the doctor or emergency services immediately. Never change blood thinners or pain meds on your own.

Prevent falls & strengthen bones

A hip fracture needs both weak bones and a fall. Support bone health with calcium-rich foods, enough sunlight for vitamin D, and regular weight-bearing movement like walking. Also make the home safer: clear clutter, install night lights, and keep a sturdy walker nearby.

The one habit to avoid

The most critical habit is simple: never lift or move a senior with a possible hip fracture. Keep them still, protect them from the cold, and call emergency services right away. That single action can prevent further injury and save lives.

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Read the full guide

The full guide is on thecareonline.com. General information only, so check with your doctor for your own case.

Nothing on The Care Online is medical advice. Traditional practices are described as tradition, not as fact. Take a persistent or serious concern to a qualified professional. See how videos and posts are made on our methodology page.