As you age, changes in your body may make you more prone to injury if you suffer a fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that three million seniors visit hospital emergency rooms after such an event.
Not all fall injuries are immediately apparent, so understanding which you might suffer in the aftermath may be helpful, especially if someone else’s negligence caused the accident.
Hip fractures
As a senior, your risk factor for hips fractures during a fall is typically higher than those who are under the age of 60. These fractures are especially common after falling sideways after a trip or slip. These fractures usually require hospitalization and may limit your mobility for an extended period.
Traumatic brain injuries
Falling backward or sideways on a hard surface can cause a traumatic brain injury. In fact, falls are a major contributor to this type of problem because in some cases, the injury is not always noticeable right away. In some cases, a brain injury may require lengthy hospitalization, but this may depend on the severity of the fall.
Broken bones
While hip fractures are a considerable fall risk for you as a senior, broken bones may also occur. Due to the nature of a slip or trip, some areas of the body may suffer more vulnerability to breakage than others, including:
- Wrists
- Ankles
- Arms
Breaking a bone may affect your levels of independence, which could reduce your quality of life or put you at greater risk for another, more serious fall.
Some seniors reduce their activity levels after a fall because they become fearful. However, this could lead to lethargy, weakness and other medical problems that could seriously affect your health.