Older people can experience the same first aid emergencies as anyone else, but age, frailty, reduced mobility, long-term health conditions and medicines can sometimes make the consequences of an accident more serious.
Falls are particularly important. A seemingly simple fall can result in a head injury, hip fracture, other broken bones or difficulty getting back up. Older people may also be more vulnerable to dehydration, heat illness, hypothermia, stroke and complications following injury.
This guide explains first aid considerations for older people, including what to do after a fall, when to call 999, how to recognise stroke and other emergencies, and how carers and family members can prepare for common first aid situations.
There is no separate set of basic first aid rules purely because someone is older. The same priorities still apply: make the area safe, check responsiveness and breathing, control life-threatening bleeding and obtain appropriate medical help.
However, an older casualty may have additional factors to consider, such as:
This means apparently minor accidents sometimes require more careful assessment.
| Emergency | Why it matters | Key first aid priority |
|---|---|---|
| Falls | Can cause head, hip, wrist, shoulder or spinal injuries. | Do not rush to lift the person. Check for injury first. |
| Head injury | Symptoms may be subtle, especially after a seemingly minor fall. | Monitor carefully and obtain urgent assessment where indicated. |
| Fractures | Older bones can fracture more easily, particularly around the hip and wrist. | Keep the person still and call 999 for suspected serious fractures. |
| Stroke | Risk increases with age and rapid treatment is essential. | Use FAST and call 999 immediately. |
| Fainting | May cause a secondary injury during the fall or indicate another medical problem. | Check breathing and recovery rather than assuming it is harmless. |
| Bleeding | Some medicines can increase bleeding risk. | Apply direct pressure and seek medical help where necessary. |
| Hypothermia | Older people may be more vulnerable to low body temperature. | Protect from further heat loss and seek emergency help if suspected. |
Do not immediately pull them to their feet.
First:
NHS guidance advises calling 999 if someone has fallen and may have injured their head, back, neck or hip, or if they cannot get up. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Do not attempt to lift them yourself if they cannot get up.
NHS guidance specifically advises against trying to lift another person yourself after a fall. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
If they have no obvious serious injury and feel able to get up, allow them to do so slowly with suitable support rather than pulling them upright.
The NHS suggests that someone who feels able to get up can:
If they cannot get up after a fall, call 999, particularly where injury is suspected.
While waiting:
If an older person falls when alone, NHS guidance advises using a phone or personal alarm if possible, trying to attract attention, keeping warm and changing position periodically if they are able to do so. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Call 999 or 112 if:
NHS guidance specifically identifies possible head, back, neck or hip injuries and inability to get up as reasons to call 999 after a fall. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
If the person has fallen and may be in pain, injured or unwell but does not appear to have an immediately life-threatening condition, NHS guidance recommends contacting NHS 111. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
For more information, see our When to Call 999 vs 111 vs GP guide.
Hip fractures are particularly important in older people and commonly happen after falls.
Possible signs include:
If a hip fracture is suspected, call 999.
Do not encourage the casualty to stand or walk to “test” the injury.
Keep them comfortable and warm and minimise unnecessary movement while waiting for the ambulance.
See our First Aid for Fractures & Dislocations guide for more information.
An older person may hit their head on the floor, furniture or another object during a fall.
Possible warning signs include:
Do not assume confusion is simply due to age or dementia if it appeared suddenly after a fall.
See our First Aid for Minor Head Injuries guide for detailed head-injury advice.
Some older people take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines because of conditions such as atrial fibrillation, previous blood clots, stroke or heart disease.
These medicines can affect bleeding and may make internal bleeding more important after an injury.
If someone taking blood-thinning medication has hit their head, seek appropriate medical assessment rather than relying only on how well they initially appear.
If you contact NHS 111, ambulance staff or another clinician, tell them which medicines the person takes if you know.
Stroke is a medical emergency and symptoms usually appear suddenly.
The easiest way to remember the main signs is FAST:
NHS guidance says to call 999 if stroke symptoms occur, even if they disappear after a short time. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
See our First Aid for Stroke: Signs & What to Do guide for more information.
Yes.
A stroke can cause sudden weakness, dizziness, loss of balance or difficulty controlling one side of the body, which may result in a fall.
If an older person falls and then shows sudden facial weakness, arm weakness or speech problems, do not treat the situation as only a fall.
Call 999 immediately.
A transient ischaemic attack, or TIA, can cause the same sudden symptoms as a stroke, but the symptoms may disappear after minutes or hours.
This does not make it safe to ignore.
NHS guidance says to call 999 immediately for suspected stroke or TIA symptoms even if they resolve while waiting for the ambulance. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
An older person may faint because of:
If they collapse:
Do not assume every brief loss of consciousness is a simple faint.
See our First Aid for Fainting guide for detailed guidance.
Chest pain can have many causes, but suspected heart attack requires immediate emergency help.
Possible symptoms can include:
Call 999 if a heart attack is suspected.
See our First Aid for Chest Pain & Suspected Heart Attack guide.
An older person with diabetes may experience dangerously low or high blood glucose.
Low blood glucose can cause:
Sudden confusion should not automatically be attributed to dementia or ageing.
If the person is conscious and able to swallow safely, help them follow their usual hypo plan.
If they become unconscious or cannot swallow safely, give nothing by mouth and call 999.
See our First Aid for Diabetic Emergencies guide.
Older skin can sometimes tear more easily after a bump or fall.
For a minor skin tear:
For severe bleeding, apply firm direct pressure and call 999 where bleeding is life-threatening.
See our First Aid for Cuts, Bleeding & Minor Wounds guide.
Older people commonly take several prescription medicines.
Some medicines may affect:
Do not stop or alter someone's prescribed medication yourself after an accident unless a healthcare professional tells you to do so.
If emergency services are called, having an up-to-date medication list available can be very useful.
Sudden confusion should be taken seriously.
Possible causes can include:
If confusion appeared suddenly, seek urgent medical help rather than assuming it is caused by normal ageing.
Call 999 if stroke, serious head injury or another life-threatening condition is suspected.
Dementia can make it more difficult for a casualty to explain where they hurt or what happened.
Look for changes from their normal behaviour, such as:
Where possible, ask a family member, carer or someone familiar with the person whether their behaviour is different from normal.
Older people can be more vulnerable to becoming dangerously cold.
This is particularly important after a fall if they remain on a cold floor for a long time.
Possible signs of hypothermia include:
Keep the casualty warm using blankets or dry clothing and seek emergency help if hypothermia is suspected.
See our First Aid for Hypothermia guide.
Older people can also be more vulnerable during very hot weather.
Heat exhaustion can cause:
Heatstroke is more serious and may cause confusion, seizures or reduced responsiveness.
Call 999 if heatstroke is suspected.
See our First Aid for Heat Exhaustion & Heatstroke guide.
Not drinking enough can contribute to dizziness, weakness and falls.
NHS falls guidance recommends eating well and staying hydrated because inadequate food or fluid intake can make someone feel light-headed or faint. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
If the person is fully conscious, can swallow safely and is not seriously injured, fluids may be appropriate.
Do not give drinks to someone who is unconscious, very drowsy or unable to swallow safely.
Useful emergency information may include:
Having this information ready can make emergency handover easier.
For an older person at risk of falls, being able to call for help can be as important as having first aid equipment.
NHS guidance suggests considering a personal alarm or carrying a mobile phone where falls are a concern. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
The device should be somewhere the person can actually reach after a fall rather than left on a table in another room.
First aid is important, but preventing the accident is even better.
NHS falls guidance recommends measures including:
Falls prevention is especially important after someone has already fallen once. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
NHS guidance recommends seeing a GP if you have had a fall or are worried about balance or mobility. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
A GP may consider factors such as:
Some people may also be referred to a specialist falls service.
Care settings should have arrangements for responding to falls and other medical emergencies.
Staff should know:
See our First Aid for Care Homes & Social Care guide for workplace provision.
A general home first aid kit can be useful for minor injuries and everyday incidents.
Depending on individual needs, useful general supplies can include:
Prescription medication, glucose treatments and other personal medical equipment should be stored and managed separately according to the person's healthcare plan.
You can view our range of first aid kits for home and general emergency preparedness.
Common mistakes include:
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Fall with no obvious serious injury | Assess first. If they genuinely feel able to get up, allow them to do so slowly with stable support. |
| Cannot get up after fall | Call 999. Keep them comfortable and warm and do not try to lift them yourself. |
| Possible head, neck, back or hip injury | Call 999 and minimise unnecessary movement. |
| Possible stroke | Use FAST and call 999 immediately. |
| Sudden confusion | Consider acute illness or injury and seek urgent medical help. |
| Unresponsive but breathing | Maintain the airway, use the recovery position where appropriate and call 999. |
| Not breathing normally | Call 999, begin CPR and use an AED if available. |
| Minor fall but still in pain or unwell | Contact NHS 111 for advice. |
The NHS provides guidance on falls, including what to do after a fall, when to call 999, falls prevention and when to seek further assessment.
You can read the NHS guidance on falls and the NHS guidance on stroke symptoms.
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