By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    An Expert’s Guide To Building and Improving Endurance
    June 30, 2022
    medical assistants
    What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?
    April 5, 2022
    superfoods to help with prostate health
    10 Healthy Foods That Can Help Protect Your Prostate
    August 29, 2022
    Latest News
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    healthcare cost crisis
    What If the Health Care Cost Crisis Solves Itself?
    May 11, 2013
    Do You Need Life Insurance? What Does It Cover?
    December 23, 2022
    HIE metal plans
    The Four “Metal Plans” of Health Insurance Exchanges
    May 28, 2013
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Why Seniors Are At Elevated Risk Of Injury (And How To Keep Them Safe)
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Senior Care > Why Seniors Are At Elevated Risk Of Injury (And How To Keep Them Safe)
Senior Care

Why Seniors Are At Elevated Risk Of Injury (And How To Keep Them Safe)

Kristel Staci
Kristel Staci
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

  I recently had a discussion with a friend that is taking care of her elderly mother. She said that her mother had experienced a couple of falls over the past three years. Sadly, this is a common issue for people taking care of aging loved ones. No group is immune to the risk of injury. However, some demographics are far more prone to injuries than others. Seniors are at an especially high risk of injury. Approximately 25% of all adults over the age of 65 experience a slip or fall every year. The problems this causes cannot be ignored. Seniors that fall often endure fractured hips. The consequences of injuries to seniors are more problematic than most people believe. One in four seniors that fracture a hip will die from the injury within six months. It is important for seniors and their caretakers to understand the reasons they are more prone to injuries. This helps them create a plan that minimizes the risks. It is a good idea to have this plan documented by nursing homes and other caretakers. The experts at LampertWalsh.com suggest this can help in the event of a lawsuit.

Contents
Why are seniors at a greater risk of injury?Coordination problemsLow bone densityDementia and other mental health issuesObesityDiabetesWhat precautions can seniors and their caretakers take to avoid these issues?Follow a sound dietGet adequate exercise without strainingInstall handrails in showersGet treatment for coordination issues

Why are seniors at a greater risk of injury?

There are numerous reasons that seniors are prone to suffering injuries. Some of the biggest reasons are listed below.

Coordination problems

Seniors tend to have worsened coordination as they get older. This can increase the risk of injuries in numerous ways. They are more prone to fall while walking, get into car accidents or slip in the shower.

Low bone density

Seniors are at an elevated risk of osteoporosis and other problems caused by low bone density. Nearly 34 million adults have reduced bone mass. The majority of them are seniors. This puts them at a higher risk of fractures, spirals and other bone breaks. It can also impair strength, which leads to seniors overexerting themselves when doing physical work.

More Read

6 Engaging Activities To Help Senior Parents Fight Dementia
Caring For Aging Parents? How The Sandwich Generation Can Thrive
5 Healthcare Technologies Transforming Aging In Place
When the Bed Bugs Bite: Pest Protection Tips for Home Care Workers and Homebound Elderly
Scammers Preying On The Elderly: How To Be More Vigilant

Dementia and other mental health issues

Dementia is a growing problem with seniors. Almost 14% of adults over the age of 71 have the disease. An even greater number of seniors have other mental health issues. These mental health issues put seniors at a greater risk of making poor decisions that can lead to injury.

Obesity

Obesity is another common health problem facing seniors in 2020. Seniors tend to be less active as they get older, but don’t always adjust their dietary habits to reflect this lifestyle change. In addition to diabetes and other health risks, obesity directly increases the risk of injury. Overweight seniors can suffer more serious injuries if they fall. They are also more likely to have coordination issues that increase the risk of falling or knocking foreign objects onto themselves.

Diabetes

Diabetes is another very serious health issue for seniors. The American Diabetes Association reports that 25.2% of seniors have diabetes. Most of the health problems diabetes causes are well known. However, most people don’t realize that it increases the risk of injury after an accident in some cases. One of the biggest reasons is that people with diabetes are at an increased risk of hemophilia. If they are cut, then they can have serious blood clotting issues. seniors with diabetes might also need to restrict their diet in ways that can lead to other injury risks, such as drinking less milk and increasing their likelihood of developing osteoporosis.

What precautions can seniors and their caretakers take to avoid these issues?

All seniors and people responsible for their care need to develop an accident preventive plan. Some of the elements of this plan should include the following.

Follow a sound diet

There are countless reasons seniors need to eat properly as they get older. One of the most overlooked reasons is that a good diet keeps their bones strong and helps them be more resilient if they have an accident.

Get adequate exercise without straining

All seniors should make sure they get plenty of exercise every day. Unfortunately, it is easy to go too far and injure themselves in the process. Seniors need to find safe ways to be active to stay healthy without hurting themselves in the process. Medical professionals can provide proper guidance.

Install handrails in showers

Seniors are at a greater risk of falls in the shower. They can reduce this risk by putting in handrails on the walls.

Get treatment for coordination issues

Seniors that feel disoriented or uncoordinated should get evaluated. They might be able to treat the problem by getting certain medications from a neurologist. This can minimize the risk of an injury down the road.

TAGGED:elder careinjury risksenior injury riskseniors
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

technology in medical research
The Tools Helping Medical Researchers See the Full Picture
News Technology
August 3, 2025
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
Health
July 31, 2025
holistic dental
Holistic Dentist Services Are Natural and Safe
Dental health Specialties
July 28, 2025
botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025

You Might also Like

Senior CareWellness

Retiring For Better Health: Here Are Some Key Takeaways

April 17, 2020
FinanceMental HealthSenior Care

Financial Benefits For People Suffering From Dementia

June 3, 2019
technology helps aging seniors
Senior CareTechnology

Best Technology Devices to help Seniors Age in Place

June 13, 2022
investing in senior care
Senior Care

5 Reasons Why Investing in Senior Care Is a Wise Choice?

January 30, 2023
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?