Kreisman Law Offices Professional Corporation
One out of every three Americans 65 years or older will suffer injuries as a result of a fall. According to the Illinois-based Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, falls are the leading causes of injury among senior citizens with death from falls on the rise since 2000.
Approximately 250,000 hip fractures occur each year among people older than 65 in the United States, with falls accounting for 87% of all fractures among people age 65 or older. And for the elderly, hip fractures can lead to severe health problems or even death.
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, senior citizens are at higher risk for poor outcomes following a fall, in part due to the the extra time their bodies require to heal. In addition to the longer recovery period, there are the added risks of complications from blood clots, infection, or skin breakdown. For example, a senior citizen hospitalized for a hip fracture is also at risk for ulcers or pressure sores that can permanently deteriorate one’s health.
Family members can help their elderly relatives by trying to lessen the risk of the possible side affects. For example, try to keep seniors among familiar settings where they are less of a risk of suffering a fall. Also, to make sure they are in the best possible health, make sure they attend their doctor’s appointments, which might require making driving arrangements for less mobile seniors. Make sure they are taking all their necessary medications and receiving proper nutrition. These measures will help ensure your family member stays as healthy as possible and lessens the risk of any negative outcomes.
Kreisman Law Offices has been practicing Illinois nursing home abuse law for over 30 years, serving areas in and around Cook County, including Chicago, Morton Grove, Cicero, and Lisle.