Home Physio After a Fall: The First 72 Hours That Matter Most

Note: This article is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call 999.

After a fall, check for injury first and call 999 if the head, neck, back, or hip may be hurt, or the person cannot get up. Call NHS 111 for pain or feeling unwell. Once serious injury is ruled out, rest briefly, keep moving gently, and book a GP or home physio check within days.

A fall can shake anyone, even when nothing is broken. A home physio can help you recover, but medical safety comes first. Here is what to do, using NHS advice.

First: is this an emergency?

Stay calm and take a couple of minutes to check for injury, as the NHS advises.

When to get urgent help - Call 999 if someone has fallen and may have injured their head, back, neck or hip, or cannot get up. - Call 999 after a head injury if they were knocked out, have a fit, cannot stay awake, have new weakness or numbness, or have trouble walking, speaking or understanding. - Call NHS 111 if they may be in pain, injured or unwell, or after a head injury if they feel sick, dizzy or take blood-thinning medicine. - If you experience a fall or have balance and mobility concerns, make an appointment with your General Practitioner.

If another person has fallen, the NHS advises you to keep them warm and comfortable and offer assistance in getting up, without trying to lift them.

How to get up safely after a fall

The NHS gives the following steps if you feel that you are able to get back on your feet:

1. Make your move slowly and do not hurry at all.
2. Turn yourself on your side and then get onto your hands and knees.
3. Crawl towards something nearby that you can hold onto, such as a sturdy chair or a sink.
4. Put your foot flat on the ground and help yourself get up slowly while providing support to yourself.
5. Sit down and rest.

If you cannot get up, use a phone or personal alarm, or bang on a wall or the floor to get attention. Cover yourself with a towel, coat or blanket to keep warm. Roll from side to side or move your arms and legs, and try to change position about every 30 minutes to help prevent pressure sores (skin damage from staying in one position).

Once you are well, practising this floor-to-chair routine with a home physio means you will know what to do if it happens again.

The first 72 hours: what to do and watch for

Once serious injury is ruled out, aim for gentle movement and close watching. Days of lying still can leave you stiffer and weaker.

Time after the fall	What to do	What to watch for
0–24 hours	Rest in a chair, drink fluids, take simple pain relief if suitable, keep someone nearby	Head injury signs, new confusion, pain that stops standing or walking
24–48 hours	Short walks around the house, gentle ankle and knee movements, clear trip hazards	Bruising or swelling that gets worse, dizziness, fear of moving
48–72 hours	Contact your GP, and book a home physio assessment if moving still feels harder	Loss of confidence, new unsteadiness, avoiding stairs or the bathroom

If you ever feel worse rather than slowly better, call 111 or your GP.

When a home physio helps after a fall

The NHS says a GP may refer you to a falls service, which can check for muscle weakness, weak bones and eyesight problems, offer strength and balance training and look at home safety. In some areas you can refer yourself, so ask your GP surgery reception or check its website.

A private home physio can start this work at your door, often sooner. A home physio visit after a fall usually includes:

• questions about how and where the fall happened
• checks of strength, balance and walking
• watching you on your own stairs, chairs and bath
• a short plan of strength and balance exercises
• practice getting up from the floor safely
• advice on footwear, lighting and trip hazards

We visit homes across Leeds, from stone terraces with steep stairs to new-build flats. Read more about our Leeds service.

Had a fall in the last few days? Book a home physio visit with FlexAura. Many physios have same-day or next-day slots, subject to availability.

Preventing the next fall

The NHS lists simple steps that lower the risk of falling again:

• stay active, with strength and balance activities at least twice a week
• wear shoes or slippers that fit well and grip
• use a non-slip mat in the bath or shower
• consider grab rails, stair rails or a walking aid
• carry a phone or wear a personal alarm
• clear clutter, loose rugs and trailing wires
• eat well and drink enough
• have regular eye and hearing tests
• ask a GP or pharmacist if your medicines could affect balance

Your home physio can turn this list into a plan that suits you. For exercise ideas, see our guide to balance exercises for older people.

Home physio costs with FlexAura

Option	Price	Best for
First home physio visit (60 min)	£110	Full falls assessment and first plan
Follow-up visit	£99	Progressing balance and strength work
5 home visits	£450 (£90 each)	Steady falls rehab over several weeks
Online consultation (30 min)	£45	Advice for family members first

All FlexAura physios are HCPC-registered, enhanced DBS-checked and insured. You pay after the visit, there is no cancellation fee and you do not need a GP referral.

Key takeaways

• Call 999 for head, neck, back or hip injuries, or if someone cannot get up.
• Never try to lift someone off the floor yourself.
• Gentle movement in the first days usually beats long bed rest.
• See your GP after any fall, and ask about a falls service.
• A home physio can build strength, balance and confidence in your own home.

Frequently asked questions

Should you go to A&E after a fall?

Call 999 if the person may have hurt their head, neck, back or hip, or cannot get up. Call NHS 111 if they are in pain, injured or unwell and you are unsure. 111 can tell you whether A&E is needed. Do not drive yourself to A&E after hitting your head.

How do you help someone up after a fall?

Let them rest and check for injury first. If they feel able, guide them to roll onto their side, get onto hands and knees and use a sturdy chair to stand slowly. The NHS says not to lift them yourself. If they cannot get up, call 999.

Should an elderly person see a doctor after a fall?

Yes. The NHS advises seeing a GP after a fall. A GP can look for causes such as medicines, low blood pressure or eyesight problems, and may refer to a falls service for strength and balance help.

How long does it take an elderly person to recover from a fall?

It varies a lot. Someone with bruising may feel better within days, while a fracture or a big loss of confidence can take months. Regular strength and balance work, with help from a GP, falls service or home physio, often helps people get back on their feet.

Can a home physio help after a fall?

Yes, once serious injury has been ruled out. A home physio checks strength, balance and walking in your own home, teaches you how to get up from the floor, and sets exercises to lower the risk of another fall. You can book FlexAura without a GP referral.

Conclusion

The first 72 hours after a fall are about safety first, then gentle movement and close watching. Once a doctor has ruled out serious injury, a home physio can help rebuild strength and confidence where it matters most. If you live in Yorkshire or anywhere else we cover, our home physio team can visit you, and our falls prevention guide has more ideas.

• Book a home visit: a registered physio comes to you and you pay after the visit. Book now
• Not sure yet? Talk it through in an online consultation for £45, or WhatsApp us on 07782 610 633.

Sources

• NHS. Falls. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls/ (page last reviewed 6 March 2025)
• NHS. Head injury and concussion. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-injury-and-concussion/
• NHS. Physical activity guidelines for older adults. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-older-adults/
• NHS. Balance exercises. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/strength-and-flexibility-exercises/balance-exercises/
• Age UK. Preventing falls. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/exercise/falls-prevention/