Home Health After a FallWhat the First Two Weeks Can Look Like

The fall is over. Maybe there was an emergency room visit, maybe a short hospital stay, maybe only a scare and a bruise. Now your parent is home, and you are watching every step they take.

That worry is normal. This guide explains what the first two weeks of home health can look like after a fall, what the care team may check, and how your family can help. Every person is different, and the doctor's orders come first.

First, get the order

Home health starts with a doctor's order. If your parent was in the hospital, the discharge planner or the doctor can send it. If they were seen in the emergency room or by their own doctor, ask that doctor. Only the doctor decides whether home health fits. Families may also call us first, and we coordinate the order with the doctor. Our guide on what Medicare covers explains the basics.

Medicare requires a face-to-face visit with a doctor or nurse practitioner, within 90 days before or 30 days after home health starts. Some doctors make house calls. Ask us, and we will help you find one. That doctor is independent of Comfort Care, and the choice is yours.

Under Original Medicare, covered home health services cost $0, and equipment is 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible. Medicare Advantage plans may use their own networks and rules. For more on cost, see our coverage page.

Days 1 to 3: a safe start

The first visit is usually within 24 hours after the doctor or hospital sends the order. Expect a call before the visit. A nurse often comes first. Many families are surprised by how much the first visit is about listening.

• The story of the fall. The nurse may ask where it happened, what time of day it was, what your parent was doing, and whether they felt dizzy first. Small details help.
• A body check. The nurse may look for pain, new bruises, swelling, and how your parent stands up and sits down.
• A medicine review. Some medicines can cause dizziness or sleepiness. The nurse looks at what your parent takes and tells the doctor if something should be reviewed. The doctor decides about any change. Please do not stop or change a medicine on your own.
• A walk through the home. The nurse may look at rugs, cords, lighting, stairs, and the bathroom. Our falls and balance page shows how we think about this.

The nurse also tells the doctor what they found. With your parent's permission, we update the family too.

Days 3 to 7: moving a little more

When the doctor orders it, a physical therapist may visit. Physical therapy after a fall often looks gentle at first. The therapist may watch your parent stand, turn, and walk, and may teach simple exercises for the legs and balance. If a cane or walker is advised, the therapist can show how to use it and how to adjust it. Our physical therapy page has more detail.

An occupational therapist may also come when the doctor orders it. Occupational therapy looks at daily tasks: getting in and out of the shower, using the toilet, dressing, and cooking. The therapist may suggest easier ways to do each task. Our occupational therapy page explains this.

Home health aides can help with bathing and personal care, but only as part of skilled care, meaning while a nurse or therapist is also involved.

Days 7 to 14: building habits

By the second week, the focus often shifts from "stay safe today" to "stay safe for good." The care team may work with your parent on:

• Standing up slowly, and sitting for a moment before walking.
• Wearing shoes or non-slip socks, even indoors.
• Using the walker or cane every time, not only on "bad days."
• Drinking enough fluids, since being dried out can cause dizziness.
• Eating regular meals, which helps with strength and energy.

The doctor may also ask about vision and hearing, since both affect balance. Ask the doctor if an eye or hearing check is a good idea.

What families can do right now

1. Clear the paths. Pick up loose rugs, cords, and clutter on the way from bed to bathroom.
2. Add light. Put a night light in the hall and bathroom. Many falls happen at night.
3. Keep daily items within reach. Move glasses, the phone, and often-used dishes to waist height.
4. Write down the details. Note any dizziness, new pain, or near-falls and share them with the nurse.
5. Keep a list of medicines. Our medication management page and the hospital checklist can help.
6. Ask about safety equipment. If the doctor orders something like a walker or shower chair, ask your plan or the supplier about the cost.

When to call for help right away

Call 911 if your parent hits their head and becomes confused, very sleepy, or throws up, or if they have chest pain, trouble breathing, or cannot move a leg or arm. Call the doctor the same day if they have a new fall, new swelling, worse pain, or new dizziness. The CDC has more on fall safety for older adults.

What home health does not do

Home health is short-term, skilled care that the doctor orders. It does not cover 24-hour care or housekeeping. The team teaches your family how to keep things safe, but the day-to-day help still comes from you and your parent's own routines. Social workers on the team can talk with you about other support in the community. See our medical social work page.