my elderly grandfather fell down, cut his head .. what to do ?

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hey y'all : ) just needing some advice on how to handle this situation..

well, to start off my grandfather is 83 years old; my grandmother had called me saying he fell down in the bathroom today while I was out today ... he apparently didn't have his walking cane on him at the time. when my mom and i rushed back home, he acted like everything was normal, though when we asked him, he couldn't remember anything from when he fell down (btw he has some mild dementia, he doesn't have much of a good memory anymore). we examined the cut : its cuts across his left temple, above and very close to his left eye, it looks superficial, but there was still some mild bleeding involved and it looks swollen/bruised. my mum and i wanted to take him to the doctor, but he refused saying that he is alright. he says there is nothing wrong with his vision in the left eye.

so my questions are: how do i take care of him, how can i tell if he suffered something more serious like a concussion or something, and should i take him to the doctor since this is a head injury on an elderly man?

im sorry, im just a clueless first year nursing student :nurse: hah.. but i just want to make sure that this is nothing serious and that he hasn't suffered some serious damage ...

help and advice greatly appreciated ! :)

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I'm sorry about your grandfather, but we can't give medical advise per the TOS.

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Specializes in OB, L&D, NICU, Med-Surg, Ortho.

Please see the terms of service page:

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We can't give advice. Please call his doctor or take him to the ER.

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Specializes in ED, CTSurg, IVTeam, Oncology.

"...my elderly grandfather fell down, cut his head .. what to do ?

Regarding your problem, I don't know about what to do; but I'm pretty sure that going on line, asking questions for advice and then waiting patiently for responses (while my grandpappy was laying there bleeding) would probably lean more towards the realm of what NOT to do.

Good luck.

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Specializes in ER.

duct tape...for your noggin

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

As mentioned by the membership we can't give medical advice

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