6 Injuries that Commonly Occur in the Elderly 

by | Apr 17, 2023 | Senior Health

For seniors, injuries are often more severe than what they might have experienced when they were younger. Older adults are also more likely to be injured due to new health issues, such as weakened bones and thinner skin. When seniors experience major injuries, they typically need people to provide attentive care to avoid complications. Here are six of the most common injuries in the elderly along with some tips to prevent them from happening. 

1. Injuries from Car Accidents

Seniors are at higher risk for having car accidents due to changes in their abilities, such as vision and hearing loss. A person’s reaction time also slows down with age, and your senior loved one might not be able to stop his or her car in time to avoid an accident. Car accidents can lead to brain injuries, broken bones, and lacerations. 

If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to InCasa Home Care Services, a trusted provider of home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.

2. Burns from Cooking

A senior’s thin skin is more susceptible to severe burns while cooking. Seniors may develop burns from accidental fires if they forget they left food on the stove or let oil get too hot. Talk to your loved one about ways to prevent burns at home, such as not wearing clothing with sleeves that droop close to the stove. Your loved one may also need to set reminder alarms when cooking. 

3. Bedsores

Some aging adults might spend prolonged amounts of time confined to bed. Bedsores can quickly turn into major injuries that can get infected and spread. These painful sores are usually preventable by making sure a senior is moved regularly, which prevents pressure from building up on only one part of the skin. You or another caregiver should reposition your loved one regularly throughout the day to stop bedsores from occurring. 

4. Broken Bones

Seniors may break bones during falls, and those with severely weakened bones may also get broken bones from having too much strain placed on their arms or legs. For instance, having a large dog pull too hard on the leash could cause someone with osteoporosis to break a wrist or arm bone. Seniors should be encouraged to maintain their bone mass by eating a healthy diet. Your loved one may also need help with tasks that could cause a fall or put too much strain on the limbs. 

Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional Home Care Edmonton seniors can trust and rely on.

5. Back Injuries

Seniors are susceptible to back injuries when they try to do more than their bodies can handle. Slip-and-fall accidents can also cause back injuries. Seniors should avoid lifting heavy objects, and they may need additional care after back injuries to help them recover properly. 

6. Head Injuries

A head injury can occur after a fall. When seniors fall, they may not be able to react quickly enough to protect their heads with their arms. You can practise fall prevention at your loved one’s home, and always get even mild head injuries checked out immediately.

Some families may not always be available to supervise their loved ones and prevent serious injuries. There are a variety of reasons family caregivers should consider senior care. Edmonton, AB, families often have additional responsibilities that make it more challenging to provide the care their senior loved ones need and deserve. A professional caregiver can take over your important caregiving duties, allowing you more time to focus on yourself. InCasa Home Care Services will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call us today at 587-609-6854 to learn more about our customized care plans.

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