The fact is that with age, human bones become weaker, which increases the risk of a person falling and breaking a bone. Weak bones are also the main reason why older people suffer from fractures.
As we know, older people are more susceptible to osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and brittle, and lead to a higher risk of fracture.
This condition occurs when the bones lose minerals such that calcium faster than the body can replace it. Osteoporosis affects one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50.
Osteoporosis is known as a disease that usually has no symptoms and is rarely diagnosed until a person sustains a fracture. Since the elderly are more prone to fractures, other family members should take care that the parents do not fall at home, which could cause broken bones.
Read also: Know and Understand Bone Fractures in Children
Types of fractures in the elderly
Certain types of fractures are more common and typical in older people, for example:
- fracture femoral neck
- Fracture of the intertrochanteric region of bone can-be
- Fracture of the distal end of the radius
- Fracture compression osteoporosis on column vertebral [Back fracture age]
- Fracture of the upper end of the humerus
- Fractures in the elderly require special attention
Medical diseases related to fractures in the elderly
Read also: 10 Types of Fractures to Watch Out For
Older people also have many other medical problems or conditions.Diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, respiratory diseases, neurological problems are diseases that often occur in old age
Therefore, older people have a higher risk of complications than younger adults for any type of surgery.
Therefore, to avoid the associated risks, a surgeon usually cannot provide optimal treatment to elderly people who have fractures due to contraindications to patient-related conditions.
There are many associated problems that make fractures in the elderly a different category in terms of treatment. As people age, their joints are more likely to become stiff because they don’t move much.
So that after undergoing surgery, most elderly people have it physiotherapy need abundantly to restore joint function.
Prevention is key
- Due to the many complications that can be caused by broken bones or after surgery, here are some precautions to take to prevent fractures in the elderly.
- Clean the house. The easiest way to prevent falls is to keep your home tidy. Try to keep the house clean, especially in hallways and stairways.
- Repair or eliminate tripping hazards such as cracked floors, loose carpet edges, slippery floors, etc. Sometimes household equipment can cause a fall, which can lead to other injuries such how awful in the back or can- be a broken bone. Repair or replace these items immediately to prevent someone from falling on them.
- Install bars or guards. It is very important to install safety devices in the bathroom, as a slippery bathroom floor is a fall risk factor for parents.
- Ask your parents not to wear baggy clothes. Loose clothing can sometimes make it easier to fall. Choose clothes that fit you better and that don’t drag on the floor.
- Have good lighting at home. Inadequate lighting is another risk factor that can lead to injury. To create a more parent-friendly home, install brighter bulbs where they’re needed, especially in hallways. Add nightlights in bedrooms and bathrooms to see better at night.
- Wear shoes if you wear socks. Socks can be comfortable, but they increase the risk of slipping.
- Install non-slip mats in the bathroom.
- Try to stay down. Even though ladders have handrails and brackets, going up and down stairs can significantly increase your risk of falling.
- Most parents fall at home when they go too quickly from sitting to standing and vice versa. Tell parents to take brief breaks when getting up from a lying position.
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