My mom fell last night and thankfully, did not injure herself, but she could not get up off the floor without extensive help from me. I know falls are extremely common in the elderly and impossible to prevent entirely. I just read this article which was quite good:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560761/
My mom has several of the risk factors — she is 80, lives alone, extremely sedentary (which contributes to sarcopenia or muscle wastage), high BMI, gait issues, arthritis, balance problems, and fear of falling.
One good tip is Vitamin D.
I also found lots of good YouTube videos including specifically for how to build strength to get up off the floor if you fall. And gentle / beginner chair exercises for strength and flexibility. Fingers crossed that she will be willing and able to do some of them and more motivated this time.
I also will suggest she try the walker again — she does use a cane. I think putting a basket on the walker might help as she carries things like a coffee cup or bowl at times.
Thanks for posting this.
My county charges $175 per incident, and it was never covered by Mom's insurance - since she was not transported to a Hospital. We had to use them a few times and the expense added up quickly.
Sometimes, it was just because she couldn't get up from a couch or a chair, not necessarily a fall.
It's good to know this in advance, in case there is a fee.
Have you thought about a medical alert necklace for your Mom to wear where she can push a button and call you if she needs you?
Or be connected directly to a call center that will call you, or call 911?
Also you could ask her primary doctor for a referral for therapy preferably at home to help her strengthen and enable her to be keep as much independence as possible. They will know which exercises someone of her age can benefit from. Of course she has to be willing to keep up the exercises. They can also evaluate her home for safety.
The walker sounds like a good idea and therapists can also help with that.
Just some thoughts from my own experience. Wishing you the best in this challenging part of life.