Besides common age-related diseases like cancer, liver disease and strokes, elderly adults can sustain broken bones via slip and fall accidents. While a broken bone may not seem that impactful, it can make a big difference in a senior’s health and wellness. Because aging adults don’t heal as fast as younger adults, they can be looking at weeks and months of recovery.
Many elderly adults live independently in their own home and need little help from others. However, once they break a bone, they could be facing a long road back toward independence. In the meantime, they will struggle to care for themselves. Family caregivers that worry about how their elderly loved ones will get along while recovering from a broken bone should consider hiring a senior care provider.
Facts About Fractured Bones and Seniors
Broken bones can be devastating to aging adults because of the long-term recovery process. Because bones in the elderly are often weakened due to arthritis, cancer or osteoporosis, they break more easily and heal more slowly. The trauma associated with a broken bone can also lead to soft tissue and circulation damage, chronic pain and infection. Most seniors experience a reduction in mobility and independence.
Often, at least during the months of recovery, elderly adults are not able to carry out the daily functions of living. This means that they can’t do things like shower, dress, prepare meals or do laundry. When seniors can’t take care of their home or themselves, family caregivers need to take over and get them the help they need. Many hire senior care providers to come to the aging adult’s home and assist them as they recover from their broken bone.
How Senior Care Providers Help Elderly Adults with Fractures
Aging adults are most likely to suffer from fractures in the wrist, hip, pelvis, ribs, or leg. These are serious injuries that can take months to heal. Often, seniors don’t fully recover and may need in-home care for the rest of their lives. Other conditions can lead to more health complications, both physical and mental. Whether it’s for months or years, senior care providers can give aging adults the help they need to maintain the lifestyle they enjoy at home.
Senior care providers can take over many of the daily tasks that cause elderly adults stress, such as light housekeeping, laundry and meal preparation. They can also help with self-care duties. In other words, senior care providers can assist with showering or bathing, getting dressed, grooming and all hygiene matters. Senior care providers are also good companions for seniors who might otherwise spend too much time alone. There’s really no downside for family caregivers to hire a senior care provider for their elderly relative as they recover from a broken bone.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME SENIOR CARE IN INDIANOLA, IA, FOR AN ELDERLY LOVED ONE, CONTACT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF DES MOINES, IA AT 515-631-5033. OUR CARING STAFF CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!