What Should Be Considered In Preventing Home Accidents For The Elderly?

Home accidents, are the accidents rank second in Turkey in terms of being commonplace, right after the traffic accidents. Stating that home accidents threaten the elderly and children most, Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist said that it is possible to reduce the risk with simple measures to be taken.

Stating that in most cases of home accidents, falls are the primary reason observed, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist added that these falls were mostly in the form of slippery ground or falling from a height. Specialist made the following suggestions about what should be done to prevent falls in the elderly: “Eye problems start to occur after a certain age in the elderly. Therefore, our elderly people can fall over any item on the floor. For this reason, it is necessary to be very careful that the houses with the elderly are not messy. In addition, the absence of slippery materials on the floor, the removal of carpets that may cause slipping are among the measures that can be taken to reduce the risks. Slippers can pose a risk for the elderly. For this reason, wearing sneakers or shoes-like slippers instead of slippers will prevent falling."

Do Not Get Out of Bed Immedıately

Especially since the elderly often get up for using the toilet at night, they can fall in the dark if there is not enough light. For this reason, Specialist warned them not to get out of bed immediately when they wake up at night. He suggested that they sit in bed for a minute in order to recover their blood pressure and avoid dizziness before standing up.

Precautions to Be Taken in the Bathroom

Stating that it is possible to prevent falls of the elderly with small precautions that can be taken in the bathroom and toilet, Specialist said, "Using a non-slip bathroom rug, placing a non-slip mat on the bottom of the bathtub, placing a solid holding iron near the bathtub or toilet are some of the things that can be done".

Attention to Hip Fractures in the Elderly

Stating that hip fractures can occur in the elderly even with a simple fall, due to osteoporosis, Specialist continued his words as follows: “Hip bone fractures, especially in older people, can be life threatening. Fractures in the hipbone must be taken seriously. If there is pain when the falling person moves his legs, if the leg lengths are not equal, or if the leg stands out rather than straight, a physician should be consulted without delay. "

The First 24-48 Hours is Important for Fractures Requiring Surgery

Stating that early surgery is very important in the first 24-48 hours for hip fractures that require surgery, Specialist continued his words as follows: “The risk of loss of life increases in patients who wait for a long time. Fracture retaining implants for fracture union or hip replacement surgeries are performed in fractures with low union potential. In this way, patients can walk the day after surgery. After all, in elderly patients, the aim is to have them standing up as soon as possible. Thanks to modern techniques, the success rate in these surgeries is very high. Therefore, one should not be afraid of surgery. The key here is to be able to be operated early and walk right after. "

Risk Can Be Reduced by Exercising

Older people stayed at home due to the constraints of the pandemic and rightly desiring to protect themselves. Noting that this situation immobilizes them, Yeditepe University Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist said, “Daily simple exercises will positively contribute to the flexibility and strength of joints and bones. At the same time, since it will strengthen the balance, this will reduce the risk of falling,” he said.

Press Coverage: raillynews.com