A major bone break can be a scary occurrence, and unfortunately, it can happen quite easily to the elderly. The good news is that while recovery often takes longer as a person gets older, most bone fractures can heal over time with proper care, physical therapy, and support.
Broken Bones are More Common in the Elderly
While there can be many contributing factors to the increased risk of bone fractures in the elderly, for most seniors, it comes down to two things – weakened bones and falls. Both of which can be prevented to some extent.
All humans experience bone loss as they age, which can make bones more brittle and prone to breaking. As a person ages, the body produces less bone mass, often leading to bones that are more brittle and can break with smaller impacts.
When you combine weaker bones with a greater risk of falling, broken bones become even more likely. Many seniors begin to struggle with an increased risk of falls as they age for several reasons. It can be a loss of balance due to physical changes, a loss of core strength needed to maintain balance, or even a reduction in vision that makes it more difficult to see obstacles as they walk.
What to Do If Your Loved One Breaks a Major Bone
If your loved one breaks a bone, whether from a bad fall, an accident, or another cause, supporting them with proper care and physical therapy as they recover is important to increase the likelihood that they’ll fully recover without lingering side effects or restrictions from the break.
Here are five tips you can do at home to help your loved one as they recover:
#1 Make sure they participate in physical therapy.
Physical therapy doesn’t just happen after the cast comes off; it can also occur while healing is taking place. When performed at home, physical therapy can help your loved one learn to navigate their environment in a personalized way that addresses their specific challenges. Physical therapy will help your loved one regain the strength they had before the break.
#2 Make sure the home is ready for them.
If a broken bone will limit your loved one’s ability to safely navigate stairs, make sure to rearrange the home to allow them to get where they want without putting themselves at risk of further injury.
#3 Plan for meals.
Just about any major bone break is going to make creating meals and cleaning up afterward difficult, but during this time of healing, it’s more important than ever that your loved one eats foods packed full of healthy nutrients and vitamins to help their body recover. Talk to friends, family, and home care providers about helping with meals as your loved one recovers.
#4 Help around the home.
If your loved one lives on their own, they might need help with home care needs and other daily living chores like taking a shower or getting dressed. Having a professional home care provider step in and assist can be a great support to your loved one.
#5 Don’t forget pets!
If your loved one has a furry companion, they might need some extra help caring for their animal while they recover. They might need someone to take the dog for walks or to refresh the kitty litter.
Better days will arrive sooner with proper care, in-home physical therapy, and support during the healing process.
If you or someone you know needs Physical Therapy in St. Cloud, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 525-7742 for more information.