According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 300,000 older Americans go to the hospital for hip fractures. Most hip fracture are caused by a fall, and usually when the person falls sideways. Hip fractures are more likely to occur as a person ages, and sometimes the complications that occur due to hip fractures can be life-threatening. In fact, the risk of death increases by 25 percent in the year following the fracture because of the chance of blood clots, infection, or pneumonia.
If your parent has recently fractured a hip, you might be wondering what happens next and how you can prevent it from happening again.
Treating Hip Fractures
Hip fractures almost always require surgery to repair. The surgeon may use a screw to repair the break, or it may be necessary to replace the top of the femur with a prosthesis. This is commonly referred to as a hip replacement.
Because the recovery from hip surgery is quite involved and can take some time, it’s a good idea to prepare for your parent’s release from the hospital ahead of time. Talk to the doctor about what your parent’s surgery will entail and what you can expect afterward. You’ll need to make sure your parent has transportation to and from the hospital. You should also plan to have someone stay with them around the clock for several days following the surgery. Even when they are able to spend some time on their own, they will need assistance for many things, so it will be necessary to arrange for a family member or senior care provider to help them.
Hiring a senior care provider through an agency can help your parent and your family through the recovery period following a hip fracture. Senior care providers can help your parent with many tasks around the house while also ensuring they remain safe as they move from room to room.
Preventing Future Falls
A history of hip fracture makes another fall more possible. Below are some tips for preventing your parent from falling again:
- Check your parent’s home for any hazards that may cause them to fall. Remove loose area rugs that could cause them to trip. Eliminate clutter and install handrails in stairwells.
- Make the house a little brighter by installing additional lighting and using night lights so that your parent can see.
- Pay attention to side effects of medications. Some medications can make your parent dizzy or lightheaded, which can cause a fall.
- Employ strategies to keep your parent’s hands free and to help them avoid overreaching, which can put them off balance. Your parent might wish to wear an apron around the house so they can carry things in the pockets, leaving their hands free to maintain balance and hold rails. They might also wish to use grabbers to reach light switches or objects that are too high.
- Make sure your parent wears shoes that fit well and have non-skid soles.
A senior care provider can also help your parent to avoid falls. They can assist your parent when they are getting up or walking. They can also assist your parent with light housekeeping, which can help keep the house from getting cluttered.
Sources: http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/caregivers-resources/grp-disabilities/hsgrp-broken-bones/the-basics-of-broken-hips-article.aspx
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hip-fracture/basics/definition/con-20021033
https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adulthipfx.html
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Cambridge MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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