Do not hurry to lift up a senior who falls over.

The Ministry of Health issued guidelines on Tuesday for helping elderly people who fall over, saying that the action to be taken is different in differing circumstances, the Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday.

If they remain conscious, one should first ask whether they have a severe headache or feel weak in their hands and feet. If so, raising them up could worsen their illness, which might be linked to cerebral ischemia or cerebral hemorrhage, the report said.

The guide stresses that elderly people need different types of help depending on whether they are conscious or unconscious after they have fallen over.

Accidental falls have become the leading cause of death or injury for the elderly, the report said.