What Are the Most Common Injuries Suffered by the Elderly, and How Can They Be Prevented? 

 Posted on March 22, 2023 in Personal Injury

As we age, our bodies become more fragile and susceptible to injury. Unfortunately, the elderly are often prone to accidents and injuries, severely affecting their quality of life and overall well-being. Today, we will not only discuss examples of some of the most common injuries suffered by the elderly, but we will also discuss how such injuries can be prevented from happening in the first place. If you or your loved one has suffered an injury, consider contacting an experienced personal injury to ensure your or your loved one’s rights are respected and advocated for. 

Common Injuries and How to Prevent Them

The following is a list of examples of common injuries suffered by the elderly and how such injuries can be avoided, including:

• Falls – Falls are the most common injury suffered by the elderly. Removing any tripping hazards around the home, such as loose rugs, cords, or clutter, is essential to prevent falls. Installing grab bars in the bathroom and ensuring that stairways are well-lit can also help prevent falls.

• Burns – Elderly individuals are more likely to suffer from burns due to decreased mobility and slower reaction times. To prevent burns, it is important to keep hot liquids and foods out of reach, and to ensure that appliances are turned off and unplugged when not in use.

• Pressure sores – Pressure sores occur when an individual is immobile for long periods of time. Therefore, it is important to encourage mobility, change positions frequently, and use specialized cushions and mattresses to prevent pressure sores. 

• Medication errors – Elderly individuals often take multiple medications, which can increase the risk of medication errors. To prevent medication errors, it is important to keep a list of medications and dosages and ensure that all healthcare providers know the medications being taken. 

• Elder abuse – Sadly, elder abuse is relatively common, particularly in nursing home environments. Preventing elder abuse can be difficult. However, such abuse may be able to be mitigated by keeping in touch with elderly loved ones and reporting any signs of abuse or neglect to the authorities. 

Contact a Glenview, IL Elder Injury Attorney

Understanding the most common injuries suffered by the elderly is essential to preventing them from occurring in the first place. Remember, if you or a loved one has suffered an injury, feel free to contact the experienced and knowledgeable Northbrook elder injury lawyers with Gruzmark Law, Ltd.. Call 847-729-7660 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235613/