Senior Care Mooresville NC
More than 95 percent of hip fractures in seniors are caused by falling. Hip fractures are the second leading cause of hospitalization for this age group. Three-quarters of those affected are women who have a much greater chance of developing osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones.
How to Prevent
The key to prevention is promoting healthy bones and strong muscles. Exercise is the key. Incorporate both weight-bearing exercise for strong bones, aerobic activity for a healthy heart, and strength training for strong muscles. Exercise does not have to be vigorous or joint-jarring to be beneficial. Forms of exercise particularly suited to seniors are water aerobics, tai chi, yoga and walking—low impact exercises that still manage to increase blood flow, strengthen the body, and restore balance.
Safe Environment
Maintaining a safe environment in order to decrease your loved one’s susceptibility to falls is vital. There are several steps you can take to help ensure their safety.
Clear their home of any clutter. Ensure pathways are easy to access by removing any wiring and making sure furniture is not causing an obstruction.
Install good lighting—ideally sensor lighting that comes on with movement.
Install grab bars in strategic places such as the shower and by the toilet.
Install raised seats to include toilet and chairs, if needed.
After a Fracture
Once your loved one returns home from the hospital, it will be important that they follow their primary care physician’s instructions to the tee. In most cases, they will suggest a physical therapist who will design an exercise program specific to your parent’s needs.
Fear of falling can keep your parent immobile, the worst thing for them. Help them regain their confidence by being there to support them the first few weeks after hospitalization. A good rule of thumb is to help but don’t hover. It will require time and patience for them to develop confidence in movement again. Use of a walker will help them get through the uneasy beginnings of rehabilitation until they become strong and confident once again.
A senior care provider can offer the assistance you and your parent may need to help get through the initial healing phase. They can be there to help your loved one feel secure, help transport them to various areas of their home, and help with bathing and dressing. They can prepare meals and run errands, all the while providing that all important aspect of caring—companionship.
Resources: www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adulthipfx.html
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1490246/
