My mom fell and is off balance. Is home monitoring safe now?

Question

Hello doctor,

My 68-year-old mother fell off a step this morning at their RV and hit her head. There is no bleeding, but she has a small bump on the back of her head. She seems a little off balance and says she feels slightly dizzy when she stands.

She is scheduled for a heart catheterization, as we suspect she may have a blockage. She has been a bit tired recently but says she just wants to lie down.

Should we take her to the doctor today, or is it okay to monitor her at home? She does not want to go, saying she is fine and just upset about the fall.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Given your mother’s age (68) and the fact that she hit her head and is now experiencing dizziness and imbalance, it is safest to have her evaluated by a doctor today, preferably in an emergency department.

Even though there is no visible bleeding, older adults are at higher risk for internal bleeding (such as a subdural hematoma) after even minor head trauma, especially if they are on blood thinners or have cardiovascular conditions.

Her symptoms of dizziness, imbalance, and fatigue could be related to the fall, a mild concussion, or even her underlying heart issue. However, it is important not to assume it is just the heart; head injuries can sometimes cause delayed complications.

Until she is seen, have her rest but avoid sleeping for long periods without periodic checks to ensure she is alert, responsive, and not developing new symptoms like confusion, worsening headache, vomiting, slurred speech, or weakness on one side.

If any of these occur, call emergency services immediately.

Even if she insists she is fine, encourage her gently that this is just a precaution to make sure everything is okay before her scheduled heart procedure.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Regards.