Hip Fractures in the Elderly
Few things are more devastating to an elderly adult than a hip fracture. This serious injury is common in those over age 65 and becomes more likely the older they get. Not only is the injury itself traumatic to the body, the recovery is difficult and long. Medical researchers have linked geriatric hip fractures to all kinds of additional health problems as well as increased mortality rates.
Family caregivers that look after an elderly relative will often have to deal with their loved one’s injury as they help them through recovery. When an aging relative has suffered a hip fracture, caregivers must focus on helping them recover from this injury and prevent it from happening again.
Caregiver in Enterprise AL: Elderly Hip Fractures
Risk Factors for a Broken Hip
Elderly adults are more likely to break a hip for several reasons. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes the bones to weaken and become more brittle. Women are more likely to develop the disease and, not coincidentally, are more likely to suffer from a broken hip. Numerous chronic conditions also make elderly adults less steady on their feet, boosting the possibility of a slip and fall. Medications can also cause the elderly to be less steady on their feet, and slower reflexes mean that when they fall, they can’t react in time to catch themselves.
Other risk factors for seniors include weakened leg muscles, fluctuations in blood pressure that cause dizziness, poor vision, and substance abuse. Broken hips are considered a severe injury for the elderly because of the impact it has on the body. It also takes longer for them to recover because their aging bodies simply aren’t as efficient as they once were at repairing bones.
Treatment of Hip Fractures
To repair a broken hip, the doctor will recommend surgery as a necessary treatment option. The type of surgery depends on the break, but it is usually to put in a pin to keep the bones lined up in the proper position. Similarly, the surgeon may use a plate and screws to bring the bones together. In some cases, the elderly patient may require a hip replacement surgery. The recovery can take many months where the elderly person is not mobile. They will need home care assistance to be able to complete their daily tasks.
Hip surgery is quite risky in elderly adults, and there are many things that can go wrong due to the patient’s age and overall health. Risks of hip surgery include developing blood clots, infections and additional damage to the bone. Sometimes, the elderly person’s health puts them at risk and surgeons fear that the operation may do more harm. However, if it is at all possible, doctors recommend hip surgery because it is much riskier to avoid the surgery.
There’s no doubt that a broken hip can completely change the life of an elderly adult, as well as their family caregiver. However, with a good support network of doctors, physical therapists, home care assistance, family members and community services, an aging adult has the best chance of making a full recovery.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a caregiver in Enterprise, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.
Source:
Mdedge.com
