277. How To Not Panic When Your Loved One With Dementia Falls

It’s 2 a.m. The phone rings. “Your mom fell.” Panic. Guilt. A thousand what-ifs. Episode 277 speaks straight into that moment—and shows a calmer, wiser way forward.

1) Know the two types of falls

Medical emergency: obvious injury, severe pain, deformity, unconsciousness. Don’t pass go—call 911.

Non-injury/assist-needed fall: dignity is hurt, not the body. The person can’t get up but is responsive. You have time to assess.

2) Remember: falls are part of the journey Even when you do everything “right,” people with dementia will fall. Often it’s not a balance problem—it’s judgment, distance/depth perception, impulsivity (especially at night). Plan to prevent injury and mitigate effects: ask hospice for a bedside commode, consider a transport wheelchair for community outings, even place a spare mattress by the bed if floor-to-bed transfers are chronic. Isaiah 46:3–4; Psalm 46:1–3.

3) Emotional first aid before physical first aid Your anxiety raises their anxiety. Pause. Breathe. Pray. Then act. Lizette teaches the PEACE framework (Person, Environment, Activity participation, Caregiver contribution, Educate) to help you enter the scene regulated and wise. 2 Corinthians 4:16–18.

4) Use the fall to check your stewardship Afterwards, review three lanes:

Skills: Do I know safe floor-to-bed techniques? Do we need a therapy “tune-up”?

Resources: Right equipment (walker, commode, wheelchair), enough human help, useful tech (cameras)?

Self: Am I resting? Do I have an emergency plan to keep my emotions in control? Galatians 6:2; Heidelberg Q1.

A fall is data, not condemnation. Your loved one’s dignity and your worth as a caregiver are intact.

🎟 Invitation: The next Ask the Dementia Coach live Q&A is Saturday, August 23 at 12 p.m. ET. Bring your hardest scenario; leave with a biblically grounded plan: thinkdifferentdementia.com/ask

 

💬 What Do I Say When Dementia Makes Words Hard? ✝️ Speak Calm, Not Just Words Get “What Do I Say? How to Connect with Your Loved One with Dementia” — a free guide for Christian caregivers navigating confusion, repetition, and emotional moments. ✅ 10 ready-to-use scripts ✅ Rooted in Scripture ✅ Built on the Therapeutic Truth-Telling™ model 📥 Download the guide now: https://www.dementiacaregivingmadeeasy.com/script

 

🤝 You Don’t Have to Do This Alone Join other Christian caregivers who are walking this road too — and learning how to care with compassion, clarity, and faith. 👥 Join the free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiacaregiversupportforchristians

 

🗣️ Ask Your Question Live — and Be Heard Bring your real-life caregiving questions to Ask the Dementia Coach — our free monthly Q&A session. You’ll get support, clarity, and maybe even be featured on the podcast. 🗓️ Brought to you every month! 🎤 Register here: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/ask

 

🎓 Want to Reduce Overwhelm Right Now? Join our free workshop: How to Immediately Reduce Dementia Caregiver Overwhelm and Stress — in 3 Simple Steps ✅ Practical tools ✅ Faith-informed strategies ✅ Same-day results 🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/wsl

 

🧭 Still Feeling Stuck? If you’re wondering what’s underneath your stress, the Caregiver Stress Assessment can help clarify what’s really weighing you down — so you can take your next step with peace. 📊 Take the free assessment: https://www.thinkdifferentdementia.com/dca

 

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