Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten seniors' safety and independence, and generate enormous economic and personal costs. So, what kind of harm does falling do to older people?

Traumatic Brain Injury

Falls that involve bumping the head increase the risk for a traumatic brain injury. This category of health issues includes concussions and other injuries caused by a blow to the brain, which can lead to issues like dizziness, loss of consciousness, seizures, increased dementia risk, or alterations to the senses. Because a traumatic brain injury is so dangerous, seniors who bump their heads needs to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Symptoms can appear any time in the first hours or days following an injury.

Scrapes And Cuts

For seniors with compromised immune systems, any tiny scrape or cut that happens when they fall could end up being problematic. When the skin breaks during a fall, it’s easy for bacteria to enter and cause larger infections, which can lead to system-wide infections that are challenging to recover from. To keep infections from getting out of hand, family caregivers need to monitor cut or scraped areas closely and contact a doctor if they notice signs of redness or swelling. Seniors who have diabetes or other health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious infections.

Dislocated Joints

To work properly and allow movement, the joints throughout the body need to be precisely aligned. A jarring fall may knock a bone out of its proper socket, leading to extreme pain and a joint that doesn’t function. Though dislocations are often treatable, seniors are more likely to experience another dislocation following their first dislocation. A joint that is initially dislocated by landing on it the wrong way could end up greatly impairing mobility in the long run.

Broken Bones

Since seniors’ bones already tend to be weakened by osteoporosis, they’re more likely to break something even when they’re not falling with a lot of force. Breakages typically happen to the limbs as seniors try to catch themselves while falling, but they may also fracture larger bones like the hips. Because bones are already fragile due to aging, seniors tend to take longer to heal following a bone breakage. In some cases, broken bones can even lead to life-threatening complications. Seniors who do recover may find it difficult to regain their past level of mobility.

References

1. Patricia Schumacher,What Are the Most Serious Consequences of a Fall? https://www.homecareassistancerhodeisland.com/common-falling-injuries-in-the-elderly/