Falls over the age of 65 are not to be taken lightly, a simple accident, such as slipping on the floor, can have serious consequences, according to one statistic, 70% of falls and fractures occur between 6 am and 6 pm. Most falls occur at home (67%) and increase with age. The most common fractures were the hip and femur (72%), followed by the arm and forearm (19%). The vast majority of older people undergo surgery**. Fractures can also take a sharp turn for the worse in an older person's condition, which can lead to long-term disability or even death.
The hip is commonly known as the hip, and this fracture is especially severe for the elderly. 13% of patients over the age of 70 survive only two months after a fracture. Therefore, the timing of surgery after fracture is important, preferably within 24 hours of admission**, and studies have shown that mortality is higher at 36 hours after admission than at 24 hours. Family members should pay attention to the posture of the elderly falling, although the impact of sitting on the ground with one butt is large, but due to the rich soft tissues of the buttocks, it generally does not cause particularly serious injuries. Lateral falls are more likely to cause hip fractures, especially in tall, thin older people. A small number of patients are able to walk after a fracture and are easily overlooked by their families, so if the elderly person has a significant limp after a day or two after the fall, it is important to see a doctor.
In addition to this, the areas where the elderly are prone to fractures include:
Femoral shaft fracture,The femur (thigh bone) is one of the longest and strongest bones in the body and is generally difficult to break. However, this is not necessarily the case for older people, as tripping on hard ground can lead to femoral shaft fractures. Surgery**, casting, and 24-hour care are usually required.
Forearm fracture,Forearm fractures usually occur during a fall, when a hand is stretched out to support the ground, or it can occur at the same time as a hip fracture, and the arm may not be lifted after the fracture, and the fingers and wrists may feel numb.
Broken wrist,Similarly, most wrist fractures are caused by fallsIt can be a "displaced fracture", which requires a doctor to reduce and fix, or a stable "nondisplaced fracture".
Older people who are prone to falls usually have the following characteristics:
Loss of vision, hearing and reflexes.
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or problems with the thyroid, nerves, feet, or blood vessels can affect the balance of the elderly.
Rushing to the toilet, such as urinary incontinence, can also increase the chance of falling.
Older people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia are at higher risk of falling.
Age-related muscle loss, balance and gait problems, and an excessive drop in blood pressure when getting up from lying down or sitting are all risk factors for falls.
Foot problems, as well as unsafe footwear, increase the risk of falls in the elderly.
Some medications have dizziness or confusion and other *** can increase the risk of falling, and the higher the dose, the more likely it is to fall.
There are safety hazards in the home, such as debris on the ground, shoes, wires, etc.
If the elderlyAt homeIf you accidentally fall, you still have a clear consciousness, pay attention to the following two points:
Take a few deep breaths and try to relax. Don't move on the floor yet. Don't be too anxious to get up, as this may aggravate the injury.
Slowly, try to move your body, if you feel you can still move, move with your hands and knees (crawling position), climb to a sturdy chair or step, first hold it with your hands to make sure the support is firm, and then support your body with the other elbow and gradually change to a half-squat, half-kneeling position, and then slowly sit down on the chair or steps.
Medical science, for reference only.
Reference: Falls: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Relationship to Fractures, PMC, 2008
Hip Fracture Surgery in Elderly Patients", NIH, 2020