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Mom fell today in the bathroom and couldn't get up. I spent 10 or 15 minutes trying to get her up myself (my husband was out), and finally just used brute strength to do it. I'm now feeling it in my back (which was already bad) and my neck (ditto) and will probably go into a flare (fibromyalgia). Didn't have a choice on this, though, as I coudn't leave her lying on the bathroom floor. Any tips or tricks?

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Call 911 and avoid the injuries
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I would never ever lift a frail person because I could not only do damage to them but also to myself. I would call 911 the next time, these fine young men and women live for any type of call as they want to help.

My sig other, who is very strong, is not infallible to injury when trying to lift up my Dad from a fall. One time he hurt his back to a point where he couldn't go to work for almost a week and couldn't even drive... so I had to cancel my parent's appointments for that week. If you are injured, who is going to help your Mom?
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the first 3 significant falls my dad had happened within several days. my dad was 6'2" and a big guy altho he had been losing weight. due to oxygen depletion, dad was confused and could not get him self to a position where Mom and I could help him to stand up. I like Jeannette's suggestion. there is also something called a "gait belt" which is used in rehab facilities. an absolute godsend and only costs $6 or $8 at a medical supply store. Not sure if it can be used for getting someone up off the floor. good luck!
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Next time call paramedics to do it -- honestly, even if hubby is home. They're experts, can evaluate her condition, and easily get her up without that brute strength you mention that can easily break bones in the elderly. Plus!! Mom will thoroughly enjoy being pampered by handsome young men in uniform!
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That's happened to me several times now... she no longer can follow directions to either crawl, turn over and other easier things. What I now do, is use a large towel or a sheet and use it as a sling of sorts.... Once I get her into a sitting position, have the towel under arms around waist, I then put my feet in front of her feet so they don't slide.... and uppppp she goes. Also, there are several good videos on youtube that will help.

The awful part using brute strength is pulling your mothers shoulder out or injure her more than you. Sorry Eq!
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Sorry Eq, I did not mean to imply your mom was ready for MC! My dad was however, as he had a dramatic downturn in one weeks time. His falling was just the "final straw" on us not being able to care for him safely at home. If she is just falling alot, see if you can get a hoyer lift or something similar.
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I agree with one of the commenters who said don't try - call the experts and let them do it.
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My expertise is in bed mobility problems but one of my customers just purchased one of the Camel inflatable chairs from the distributor in Michigan. She reported that it does exactly what it was supposed to do- lifts her husband off the floor. The Camel hasn't been mentioned yet in this discussion so I wanted to let new people know it exists. Also- the gait belt is a great helper for guiding people in walking but the medical experts don't recommend it for lifting people. The narrow width could hurt the person- however there are better, wider, cushioned versions (with handles to grab) that would be much better (Posey is the "big name" in gait belts but there are others too). If additional info is needed please let me know.
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NO gait belts! When RK fell on the stairs, he landed face down at the bottom. I told him not to move for 5 minutes, to give him time to be totally aware of what hurts and what extremeties can move. After 5 minutes, he rolled over on his back. Another 5 minutes and he could sit up. NEVER rush to pick them up.
Elders have fragile spines. If they have a slight fracture and you pick them up with a gait belt, you may SEVER the SPINAL CORD.
If they cannot roll over or sit up on their own, you call 911. Be safe.
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I find myself in the same situation with my father. He falls, I get him off the floor. But, now I have hurt my back and shoulder from picking him up. From now on we have decided to push the Lifeline button and let the Ambulance come and pick him up. It is safer for him and me to do it that way.
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