The image of your senior loved one falling should be enough to cause concern. Falls are more common among seniors who experience changes in their health as they age. Your loved one is at a higher risk for falls if he or she takes certain medications, has mobility issues, or has faced difficulty with things such as dizziness in the past. The long-term impact falls can have for seniors can be devastating, and these five things are all possible consequences your loved one could face if he or she falls.
1. Psychological Distress
For many seniors, it only takes one fall at home to cause them to develop serious anxiety that disrupts their daily life. After a severe fall, your loved one may no longer want to take a bath or do things such as mop the floor since it increases the chance of falling. A senior who fell while at home alone may also experience extreme psychological distress if he or she must lay there for hours worrying about what might happen if no one comes. Regular check-ins from a caregiver can correct these types of concerns.
Home care Roseville experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
2. Dehydration
Seniors often have difficulty getting enough fluids to maintain their bodily functions. A senior who falls and cannot get up may also be unable to get regular drinks of water. Depending on your loved one’s health, it may only take a short amount of time to get dehydrated. This condition could then cause your loved one to become ill or experience increased dizziness that makes it difficult to walk safely once he or she gets back up.
3. Broken Bones
Aging weakens the bones over time, and your loved one may experience a broken arm or leg if he or she falls. Broken bones in seniors tend to be more serious after a fall, and they may take many months to heal. Some seniors never experience a full recovery. Preventing broken bones is as simple as making sure your loved one has help at home so he or she is less likely to fall.
4. Traumatic Brain Injury
The head is often the first thing to make impact with the floor during a fall. Your loved one may not be able to break a fall enough to prevent a major head injury. Traumatic brain injuries can have lasting effects for seniors that affect the rest of their life. They may experience memory loss, personality changes, and confusion after a head injury.
Traumatic brain injuries can significantly increase the risk of developing dementia. If your senior loved one needs professional dementia care, Roseville caregivers are available around the clock to provide the high-quality care he or she needs. Using the revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method, dementia caregivers can help your loved one stay mentally engaged and delay the progression of the disease.
5. Decreased Independence
Anytime a senior is injured, there’s always a chance he or she may not fully regain all of his or her former abilities. A hip fracture may cause your loved one to need to use a wheelchair, or a traumatic brain injury may cause him or her to forget to eat or to turn off heated appliances. Arranging for help around the house is one of the best ways to prevent falls that can lead to a disruption in your loved one’s plans to live an independent lifestyle.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional senior home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place. Home Care Assistance is here to help. Call one of our knowledgeable Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn more.