Seniors are at a greater risk for hip fractures than any other demographic. Every year more than 300,000 people over the age of 65 will break their hip. Recovery is a long and difficult road. As a result, many seniors suffer permanent injury or even death. In fact, nearly one-third of seniors will die within one year after suffering from a broken hip.
Many seniors who have broken their hip will also be left unable to live on their own. Of those who do survive the initial injury, on top of requiring around the clock care:
- 90% are no longer able to climb five stairs
- Two-thirds will no longer be able to use the toilet without assistance
- Half will require help to get out of chairs
- Another third will no longer be able to get in and out of bed without assistance
- Twenty percent will require help to dress.
Broken Hip Risk Factors
The older you get, the more likely you are to fall. As we age our eyesight worsens. We may also suffer from illnesses that increase the risk of dizziness and balance issues.
A number of factors raise the risk of a broken hip. For example, some illnesses can increase the risk of falling. Other ailments contribute to weakened or fragile bones. These include:
- Osteoporosis
- Vertigo
- Overactive thyroid, which can cause frail bones
- Low vitamin D levels
- Low calcium levels
- Cognitive impairment
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Low blood pressure
- Nerve damage or neuropathy
- Diabetes
- Even a knee injury is not uncommon. You can check out the perks of a total knee surgery.
Women are more likely to suffer hip fractures than men. This is because women are more likely to suffer bone loss as they age. They are also more likely to suffer a fall.
Medications and Bone Loss
Some medications contribute to bone loss as well. Medications that may place your elderly loved one at risk include:
- Cortisone based medications that can cause bone weakness
- Sedatives, insomnia treatments, anti-psychotics, any drug that affects the central nervous system
- Drug combinations that can lead to dizziness, disorientation, or confusion
- Medications that treat certain cancers, like breast or prostate cancers
- Seizure medications
- Antidepressants, sleep aids, and some anti-psychotics
- Proton pump inhibitors used to treat heartburn
- Diuretics and certain blood pressure medicines
If your senior family member is taking any of these medications, keep a close eye on them and warn them about the dangers that can lead to a broken hip.
Environmental Risks
Where you live can affect your chances of suffering from a hip fracture. Seniors who must climb up and down stairs at home face trip and fall hazards. A lack of home cleanliness and organization can add to trip hazards. If they live alone, there’s a risk of the senior being unable to contact help if they have fallen and can’t get up. Investing in a form of emergency response system might be a smart idea. If an elderly person needs medical assistance inside or outside of their home, they can get it with the click of a button. This can help reduce worry in day-to-day life.
Nursing home residents are at double the risk for hip fractures compared to seniors who still live alone, highlighting the importance of making careful arrangements for your loved ones. These seniors may face risk factors beyond their control. Upon admission, a new nursing home resident should be evaluated for fall risk. If the facility fails to assess their risk of falling, the resident is at increased risk for a fall that causes a broken hip.
Nursing Home Risks
Other factors in nursing home facilities can lead to an increased risk. The risks in long-term care facilities include:
- Inadequate supervision during transfers, while bathing, and while the resident is mobile
- Understaffing
- Wet floors and trip hazards
- Lack of grab bars in the bathroom or other safety equipment
- Staff members with inadequate body strength
- Failure to administer medications safely
- Abuse or neglect
Family members whose loved ones suffer hip fractures in a long term care facility may seek the help of a slip and fall injury lawyer to learn more about their rights.
Caring For An Elderly Person in Recovery
When your elderly relative or family member is trying to heal from a broken hip, or another ailment, you may start to worry about caring for them in the long-term as they get better. Staying at home by themselves isn’t always an option, as you might be worried about their mobility and their ability to carry out day to day tasks around the house. Luckily, you may have a local aged care business which provides high quality home care to those who need it the most. With the utmost care, respect and compassion, your elderly relative will receive high quality care as they heal from their injury. If you’re interested in getting into the healthcare sector as a home carer, you may also want to look for opportunities in your local area. There are numerous franchise options that can help you to start up your own small business and give back to your local community whilst pursuing something you have a true passion for too.
Recovering After Breaking a Hip
The road to recovery after surgery to repair a hip fracture can be long and difficult. Factors such as the age of the patient and other illnesses can increase the recovery time. Recovery from a broken hip does not mean the senior citizen will get back to the level of health they enjoyed before the injury. Hip fractures are often a terrible insult to the body as a whole.
Surgery normally occurs within two days after a hip fracture. Fast repair of the hip increases the chances of a good recovery. Weeks of rehabilitation follow the surgery. Most patients spend up to a week in the hospital followed by several weeks in a rehabilitation facility. Several more weeks of outpatient rehabilitation may follow once the patient returns home.
