Developing a Caregiver Approach after Your Parent Breaks a Hip

By Jennifer Benjamin | March 31, 2016 | Comments Off on Developing a Caregiver Approach after Your Parent Breaks a Hip

Caregiver in Garden City NY

One of the greatest challenges that you can face in your time as a family caregiver is your parent breaking a hip. This painful and often frightening experience can make a dramatic impact on your Caregiver-in-Garden-City-NYparent’s ability to live an active, healthy quality of life throughout her aging years. Understanding the risk of breaking a hip and what you can do to offer proper care for your senior after such an injury can help you to develop an appropriate care approach. This care approach can protect your aging parent from serious complications and consequences, and help prevent a subsequent break.

 

Some things that you should know about broken hips and the elderly include:

  • Around 250,000 people over the age of 64 experience a hip fracture each year
  • 90 percent of hip fractures occur in older adults
  • More than 95 percent of broken hips are caused by falls. Generally these are falls that cause the person to land on her side
  • 75 percent of all hip fractures occur in women
  • The risk of experiencing a hip fracture doubles every five years after the age of 50
  • By the age of 90, 25 percent of women and about half as many men will have experienced at least one broken hip
  • Osteoporosis greatly increases the chances of experiencing a hip fracture
  • Women, slim people, whites and Asians are at the highest risk of developing osteoporosis
  • Seniors are at a 25 percent chance of dying within one year of experiencing a hip fracture
  • Approximately 25 percent of seniors who experience a hip fracture heal completely and are able to return to their former level of activity
  • Approximately 50 percent of seniors who experience a hip fracture will need to use a mobility aid for the rest of their lives due to the lingering impact of the fracture

 

Use these tips to help you develop an effective care approach for after your loved one experiences a hip fracture:

  • Transition effectively. Most seniors will receive surgery to treat a hip fracture. They will then remain in the hospital for several days. Make sure that you are prepared for the transition from hospital care to care back at home. This includes not allowing your parent to leave the hospital or rehabilitation center until you are confident that she is ready.
  • Get help. Your parent will need continuous care and support for several weeks or even months after a hip fracture. If you are not able to offer this care, consider hiring an in home care provider to provide the care that your loved one needs.
  • Encourage recovery. After your parent breaks her hip, she may be afraid to try to get back to an active lifestyle. It is important to encourage her to resume as much activity as possible and continue through her recovery as guided by her doctor. This can include participating in physical therapy for several months to help restore her strength, balance, and range of motion. This can be a very difficult venture. Being there to support her, however, can greatly improve your parent’s ability to focus and recover.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Garden City, NY, please contact the caring staff at Family First Home Companions. Serving all of Long Island. Call today: (631) 319-3961

 

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adulthipfx.html

Jennifer Benjamin
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