Lift-Assist Calls in Older Adults: Why Follow-Up Matters
Getting back into a chair can feel like the end of a frightening experience. However, lift-assist calls in older adults can signal a need for additional support. After a fall that requires help from emergency responders, it is important to consider what follow-up care, and recovery planning should come next.
A lift-assist call may begin with a simple request: "Help me, I can't get up." The conversation afterward deserves just as much attention. Families can use that moment to discuss medical follow-up, everyday mobility, and a recovery plan that respects the older adult’s priorities.
Why lift-assist calls in older adults deserve follow-up
In a 2026 mini-review in the *Journal of Rehabilitation Therapy*, Emily A. Moore and colleagues examine older adults who declined hospital transport after fall-related EMS calls in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Among 433 qualifying cases involving adults 65 and older, 142 (32.8%) had another EMS call within 30 days. Of those repeat-call patients, 71.1% were transported to an emergency department, and 42.3% were hospitalized. Those last two percentages apply to the repeat-call group, not all 433 cases.
The study was retrospective and involved one EMS system. Hospital visits without EMS involvement were not captured. These findings identify a group that may need follow-up; they do not prove that any particular intervention will prevent another emergency. Read the original article
Start with safety, then arrange follow-up
After a fall, getting upright should never take priority over getting appropriate help. If someone cannot get up or may have injured their head, neck, back, or hip, call 911 in the United States. Do not attempt to lift them yourself. The [NHS guidance on falls](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls/) also emphasizes seeking emergency help in these situations and discussing a fall with a healthcare professional.
Once you've addressed immediate needs, contact the person’s healthcare provider and explain what happened—including that emergency assistance was needed. Follow any instructions from the responding team.
It can help to write down a few details while they are fresh:
- What was the person doing just before the fall?
- What made getting up difficult?
- Has anything similar happened before?
- What questions or concerns does the person want to discuss?
The goal is to give the care team a useful account and make sure the older adult has a voice in the next steps.
Turn concern into a practical prevention plan
A follow-up conversation can lead to specific changes. The CDC’s fall-prevention guidance recommends asking a healthcare provider to assess fall risk, having a doctor or pharmacist review medications, working on strength and balance, checking vision, and making the home safer.
For families, that might mean discussing an appropriate exercise program, clearing a frequently used walkway, improving lighting, or asking about professionally installed grab bars. Medication questions should go to the prescriber or pharmacist.
Choose a manageable starting point together. Rather than handing someone a long list, agree on the first appointment to arrange and the first home improvement to make. Record who will help and when you will check in again.
Include fall recovery in the conversation
Prevention planning addresses fall risk. Recovery planning addresses what to do if a fall happens.
Ask a physical or occupational therapist to help answer practical questions: What movements can this person perform comfortably? What help would they need after a non-injurious fall? Would a floor-recovery aid suit their abilities and home environment? How will they reach a phone or personal alarm?
A useful written plan should make those answers easy to find. Keep emergency contacts accessible and discuss the plan with the people who may be asked to help. A qualified professional should guide any practice of floor-recovery techniques and assess whether it is appropriate.
Where ResQUp fits
ResQUp is a fall-recovery and mobility aid designed to help suitable users actively get up from the floor after a non-injurious fall, with no or minimal caregiver assistance. Its role is described in our product information
Ask your physical or occupational therapist whether ResQUp fits your mobility, strength, and support needs, and follow the product instructions. A recovery aid does not replace medical assessment or emergency assistance. The research discussed above did not evaluate ResQUp.
Explore our fall-recovery resources and bring your questions to your care team. Having that conversation before the next difficult moment gives everyone a clearer plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is a lift-assist call?
It is a request for help getting someone up from the floor when they cannot do so on their own. This article focuses on older adults who needed EMS assistance after a fall or difficulty mobilizing.
Should I tell my healthcare provider about a fall if I stayed home?
Yes. Tell your provider about the fall and the help you needed, and follow the responding team’s advice. Staying home doesn't answer the question of what follow-up may be appropriate.
How do I know whether ResQUp is right for me?
Review the product information with a physical or occupational therapist who understands your abilities and care needs. Ask about suitability, instruction, and the circumstances in which you should seek help instead.
Source credit
This ResQUp educational article provides original commentary informed by:
Moore, E. A., Rosen, C. L., Liu, S. W., Thomas, S. H., & Bivens, M. J. (2026). A Hand Raised for Help: Geriatric “Lift-Assist” Emergency Medical Calls as a Marker of Need for Early Intervention. Journal of Rehabilitation Therapy. Published July 30, 2026. https://doi.org/10.29245/2767-5122/2026/4.1177.
The original article is © 2026 Moore EA and is published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. We paraphrased the research findings and added practical commentary and ResQUp product discussion. No endorsement by the authors or journal is implied.
This article is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice.
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