The body is an intricately strong and powerful thing, but even it cannot completely withstand the test of time. As you age, the things that helps you function—from the muscles that make you move to the bones that give you structure—start to slowly deteriorate, and these natural changes can lead to some pretty serious injuries.
- Meniscus tear
- Hip fracture
- Wrist Fracture
- Rib Fracture
- Hematoma
- Pelvis Fracture
- Rotator Cuff Injury
- Shoulder Bursitis
- Achilles Tendon Overuse
- Ankle Fracture
- Concussion
- Tennis Elbow
- Hamstring Strain
Reasons why older people get injured
Seniors, compared to other age groups, are the most prone to injury. The main reason is that their bodies are deteriorating, and they are not as strong or stable as they were before. They might have difficulties doing the daily activities they were used to doing in their younger days.
Older folks are therefore more likely to be involved in falling accidents, which can result in serious injuries in some cases. If you have an older member in your family, the following are some reasons for the causes of their injuries. This list can be helpful in preventing or reducing the risk of injuries to them.
- Falls- This is always a major concern with seniors. In the past, falling has been the leading cause of death for seniors. It has resulted in more death in seniors than heart diseases and cancer. Therefore, minimizing the risk of falling is especially important.
Even more concerning is the fact that 50% of seniors had fall in the past year.
- Physical and Emotional Abuse- Sadly, another reason why seniors get injured is because of physical abuse.
The abuse is often caused by those who are entrusted to the care of these seniors. The abusers often take advantage of the senior’s weakness and dependency.
- Traffic Accidents- There are millions of seniors driving on the roads on any given day. Unfortunately, some of them are not fir to drive anymore and as a result can be involved in some serious traffic accidents. They can injure not only themselves but also other road users as well.
- Fires- If a fire breaks out in a home where a senior is alone and unable to get themselves to safety, serious injuries and even death can result. Seniors suffer the most injuries when there is a residential fire.
These are the leading causes of injuries for seniors. Now that you are aware of these problems you can take steps to protect your elderly love one.
Minimizing obstacles
If a senior is coming to live with you, make sure you minimize the hazards that might result in injury to them. The doorways need to be wide enough for a wheelchair to go through, and there should be adequate handlebars throughout the house, particularly in the bathrooms.
The household needs an evacuation plan in the event of fire, one that even the senior can use. They should not drive alone if possible.
These tips are a great stating point to help reduce injury to senior loved ones both inside and outside the home.
3 types of fall risk factors you should consider.
We also find it helpful to think of the factors as belonging to one of three categories:
- Health-based risks.This includes things like balance problems, weakness, chronic illnesses, vision problems, and medication side-effects. They are specific to an individual person.
- Environmental risks. These are things like home hazards (e.g. loose throw rugs), outside hazards (e.g. icy sidewalks), or risky footwear (e.g. high heels). This category can also include improper use of a walker, cane, or other assistive device.
- Triggers: These are the sudden or occasional events that cause a challenge to balance or strength. They can be things like a strong dog pulling on a leash, or even health-related events like a moment of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in a person with diabetes.
You must always take into consideration that this kind of accidents can happen to younger people too, that is why we have a list that you should always take into consideration
- Wear the proper helmet for your activity
- Wear a life jacket
- Have your eyes checked
- Remove tripping hazards around your house
- Learn how to swim
- Store medicine out of reach of children
- Take medication only as directed
- Place children in the proper booster or car seat
- Wear your seatbelt
- Walk on a sidewalk, when possible