I ran across this very clever video illustrating ways to get up after a fall in a typical living room. Some very good information here and a great reminder that our environment often provides help -- IF we know how to use it. I wish she had made a bigger point of DOING NOTHING at first. Breathe, assess your situation and determine if you are injured before attempting to get up. Near the video's end, there are several suggested ways to move when you can't safely sit up.

I also strongly suggest pausing several times in the process of getting up. Rest between the more active phases, particularly when you've transitioned to sitting or to leaning on a support object. Taking it slowly allows your blood pressure to adjust to your being more upright.

Finally, after you are settled, take some notes or call a friend and ask them to write some things down for you: what happened and where did the fall occur? did you trip or stumble? perhaps you lost consciousness and then found yourself on the floor? Was there some external cause, such as low light, an unseen object on the floor, a wet floor or slipping rug? Pay attention to what shoes or sox you were wearing in case they are worn, slippery or don't fit well. Think about whether your medications have changed. Do it soon -- memory and intentions tend to slip away quickly once we're up.

Statistically, half of the people who fall once will fall again within six months. That's where your notes come in. Maybe it's time to get your eyes re-checked, talk with your doctor, install grab bars, or take a class to work on your balance. Half of all falls occur at home. Using a home safety checklist (click here) allows you to modify environmental hazards. I suggest adding it to your annual task of replacing batteries in your smoke alarms (you do do that, right? On New Year's or your birthday perhaps?)

Falling is not an inevitable part of aging. We can decrease our risk and improve our chances of avoiding major injury if we do fall. Act now to do so!