Accidents can happen at any age, but the number of candles on your birthday cake increase your risk of having one. Your age is also a significant predictor of how severely you’ll injure yourself in case you experience a fall or motor vehicle accident.
Every day, the Integracare team helps Seniors recover from these health emergencies in the comfort of their own homes, so they can get better in a familiar setting. With nursing staff, Massage and Physiotherapists, and Personal Support Workers (PSWs), we can provide for all the physical and medical needs our Clients in a way that preserves independence and quality of life.
Seniors — just like any adult or child — can hurt themselves in a surprising number of ways, but here are the most common injuries treated by our teams:
- Ankle sprains
- Broken or Sprained Wrists
- Burns
- Herniated Discs
- Hip Fractures
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
The Leading Cause of Injuries Among Seniors
While every Senior’s health journey is different, studies show that falls, fires, and motor vehicle accidents are the leading causes of injuries among Seniors. Keep reading to find out why and how to protect yourself.
1. Falls
Count to five in your head. By the time you’re done, five Seniors will have fallen. That’s according to the Center for Disease Control, which reports a Senior falls every second, amounting to 36 million falls over an entire year in the U.S.
Here in Canada, Seniors also face elevated risks, with 20–30 percent of older Canadians experiencing one or more falls each year. These falls are the cause of 85 percent of all injuries that send Seniors to hospital and 95 percent of all hip fractures.
Besides being a painful and traumatic event, a fall can result in a steep decline in your health. Fractured hips and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can rob you of your independence, pushing many Seniors into long-term care or nursing care.