Falling over can be one of the most forgettable issues for a young person, but a huge problem for someone over seventy.? From broken bones to huge bruises that can shatter social images, falling over can affect the entire life and freedom of an elderly person.? These are the top reasons why and what to do if someone you love has fallen.
Table of Contents
More Easily Fractured Bones
We all start to lose bone density in our thirties.? This leads to the elderly being more likely to face illnesses like osteoporosis, which can deplete it even further.? This means that when they fall, people afflicted with these issues are more likely to have major breaks happen, from pelvis fractures to broken arms, fractured wrists, and more.
These breaks are severe and can be life-threatening depending on the person and their situation.? If your loved one has taken a hard fall, and it’s not their fault, calling a slip-and-fall lawyer will help them recover from the high cost of medical care.
Joint Pain and Swelling
As we get older, the collagen and cartilage start to deplete.? This can lead to our joints getting sorer as the bones rub against one another, and pain can be worsened by illnesses like arthritis, lupus, or other issues.?
If you fall with already stiff and sore joints, you could be stuck with even more severe joint pain and damage in the long run.? This is incredibly expensive to deal with and, unfortunately, mainly affects the elderly.??
Loss of Mobility and Autonomy
Falling over can stop an elderly person from having autonomy or getting to move on their own accord for the rest of their life.? When you’re young, even if you break a bone, it’s a cast and a couple of months of discomfort at most.? Elderly people take longer to heal, and sometimes a broken bone or fracture will never heal entirely, making it a permanently disabling event.??
Instead of getting to correct the injury and move on with their life, they have to deal with the problem and possibly get stuck moving into assisted living.?
Thinner and More Bruisable Skin
Elderly people are far more likely to deal with bruising and discoloration of the skin.? This can lead to huge dark marks from the slightest of bumps, and falling can make it even worse.? Even though they want to have clean and clear skin, a fall could leave their skin discolored and noticeably different, which could affect their social life.
This is more common if the older adult is on blood thinners or has diabetes or any form of cancer.? Bruising isn’t necessarily painful, but it is noticeable.
Falling Over Isn?t Small for the Elderly
Although it isn’t a big deal for a 15-year-old, or even a 30-year-old, to tumble down here or there, when it happens to someone over the age of seventy, it can lead to horrible injuries.? Work with your elderly loved ones to help protect them from falls.
