What should you do in the first 24 hours after a parent falls?

Start with the medical check. Even when a parent says they are fine, watch for delayed signs: new confusion, worsening headache, vomiting, inability to bear weight on a leg or hip, back or wrist pain that grows. Any of those is an ER trip. Call their primary care doctor the same day either way — a same-day post-fall exam is standard of care and the doctor may want imaging.

Document the fall in writing while it is fresh: date and time, where in the home, what they were doing, whether they lost consciousness, what they landed on, and what hurt afterward. That log matters later — for the doctor, for a home-safety assessment, and if the family needs to justify an insurance or LTC benefit claim.

Secure the immediate hazard the same day. If it was a throw rug, remove it. If it was a step, add a grab bar or contrast tape. If it was a bathroom, get a shower chair and a raised toilet seat ordered. About one in three adults 65+ who fall will fall again within a year, and the first 72 hours is the highest-risk window for a repeat event.

The typical Southeast Michigan post-fall response is a 20-to-40 hour weekly Personal Care schedule ($29–$37/hr at 2026 agency rates), starting within 24–48 hours of the call. That covers transfers, bathroom safety, meal reliability, and daily observation while the doctor or PT works on strength and balance.

For the full breakdown, see the cornerstone: Parent Just Fell playbook.