5 Most Dangerous Effects of Falling

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Serious Consequence of Falling in Green Valley, AZ

Falling can lead to a variety of issues for seniors. The good news is there are ways to prevent falls, such as installing grab bars, adding adequate lighting to the home, removing clutter, and strengthening bones with nutrition and exercise. Here are some of the most serious consequences that can occur in the event an aging adult falls.

1. Broken Bones

Seniors are at high risk of falling because their hearing, sight, and bone density decrease with age. A broken bone can disrupt mobility, making it difficult to handle daily tasks. The most common broken bones in seniors include the hip, spine, femur, and pelvis. Eating healthy, exercising, and getting regular medical checkups can lower the risk of falls and broken bones. 

If your loved one needs help exercising and eating a healthy diet, a professional caregiver can be a wonderful addition to your caregiving team. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. Green Valley families can rely on Embrace In-Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

2. Bone Infections

A fall can lead to a laceration, which is a deep cut or tear in the body. If the wound doesn’t heal properly, it could be exposed to harmful bacteria that cause infections. When bone infections are left untreated, seniors can lose bone tissue. Chronic infections of the bone often require surgery, and in some cases, amputation is necessary. Make sure your loved one visits his or her primary care physician after a serious fall, as this could reduce the risk of infections.

3. Head Traumas

A blow to the head during a fall can do significant damage to the brain. Seniors are more susceptible to head traumas due to falling. If your loved one’s reflexes aren’t as sharp as they used to be, make navigating the home as easy as possible to prevent falls that could lead to traumatic brain injury. 

Recuperating after a brain injury can be especially challenging for aging adults, especially if they already have health conditions or mobility issues. Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Green Valley live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place.

4. Pulmonary Embolism

A slip-and-fall accident could cause a blood clot to occur in the lungs, increasing the risk of developing pulmonary embolism. The restricted blood flow and decreased oxygen levels could cause serious damage to the lungs. Since most cases of pulmonary embolism are caused by blood clots that travel from the legs to the lungs, keep your loved one active to build leg strength and prevent serious injuries.

5. Death

Falls are one of the leading causes of death among older adults. The injuries from a fall might be too hard on the body, especially for a senior already living with medical complications and preexisting disabilities. The initial injury isn’t always to blame for a senior’s death. Instead, the cause of death is often due to associated problems. To prevent your parent from falling, make sure to purchase shoes and clothing that fit properly, help with medication management, encourage participating in balance exercises, and make necessary modifications to the home.

Falls pose a serious health risk for seniors, so it’s especially important to take preventive actions to minimize the risk of falling. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elder care. Green Valley families trust Embrace In-Home Care to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. To learn more about our reliable, compassionate in-home care services, contact us at (520) 625-2050 today.

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