If seniors do fall, they have a short window of time to watch for signs that something might be wrong. Experiencing even one fall means that seniors are extremely likely to have another fall. Falls can cause extremely serious injuries for aging adults. All of that can be avoided if seniors work with 24-hour home care providers to do everything possible to avoid experiencing a fall.
Pain
It isn’t uncommon at all for seniors to experience some amount of pain after they fall. Sometimes the pain is part of the shock of the fall, but other times it can indicate that seniors need more attention from medical providers. The type of pain can help seniors determine how serious the problem is. Sharp pain or trouble breathing needs to be addressed right away. Home care providers can help seniors get to their doctors sooner rather than later.
Neck or Head Problems
Head injuries are something that seniors can’t ignore. Whether seniors are bleeding or not, head and neck injuries need to be carefully checked out. Sometimes aging adults might not notice their necks are stiff until the next day. 24-hour home care providers can help spot issues by prompting seniors to describe how they’re feeling.
Cuts or Other Wounds
Cuts, bruises, and other wounds might be a bigger issue than seniors expect. If they have underlying health issues, wounds might not heal as well as they should. Watching for cuts or wounds after a fall helps seniors to get the right care right away, hopefully preventing a bigger problem down the road.
Mobility Issues
Often a fall can leave seniors with mobility issues, especially if there’s swelling or pain. It’s a good idea for seniors to have mobility problems checked out after a fall, especially since broken bones can be difficult to spot without medical experience.
Vision Changes
Changes to vision after a fall might also be a bad sign. This is even more true if seniors hit their heads at some point during the fall. Double vision, blurry vision, or other changes that seniors haven’t experienced before can lead to headaches and might indicate a concussion or other brain injury.
Behavior Changes
Sometimes seniors experience behavioral or mood changes after they fall. This is most common if they’ve also hit their heads, but seniors might have issues for other reasons. 24-hour home care providers can help seniors to watch for signs that might indicate they have had a fall.
Nausea or Vomiting
Big falls can have big consequences. That includes vomiting or nausea in some cases. While occasionally these symptoms can mean seniors are anxious about their fall, it could also indicate that seniors struck their heads or sustained another type of injury.
Any fall is a big deal for aging adults. No matter what type of fall it was, seniors need to pay close attention to how they’re feeling after they get back up. 24-hour home care providers can be there around the clock to keep an eye on how seniors are doing and work on plans to keep falls from happening at all.
If you or an aging loved one needs 24-hour home care in Elizabeth, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare of Parker. 303-953-9924
