Tips To Prevent Bruising In The Elderly

1. Tips To Prevent Bruising In The Elderly

2. A few bruises here and there are normal, and we all manage to bruise ourselves at some point in time. The average bruise tends to heal quickly and life carries on. But when it comes to our senior loved ones, we should pay special attention to any bruise.

3. Wounds heal more slowly as we age as the elderly skin is much thinner, drier and less elastic. Blood vessels underneath the surface of our skin also become more fragile, and certain health conditions, diseases and medications just adds to the problem by increasing a person's risk of bruising.

4. With age, our skin gets thinner which makes the elderly more prone to getting bruised easily. It may take only minor bumps or brushes against something to cause bruises, and can take months before the marks heal.

5. As we’ve already mentioned, pay special attention to bruises among the elderly as a bruise that doesn’t heal properly could indicate a hematoma that’s clotting up or a case of internal bleeding. Also, if your older adult is unable to remember how they got the bruise, it could be a sign of two underlying health issues, including blood sugar problems that result in blackouts and falls, and memory loss.

6. Fever, increased pain and warmth around the area are some of the key signs that something is amiss with regards to your loved one’s bruising.

7. Common Causes Why Older Adults Bruise: Bruises occur often when there's trauma or a blow to the body, often resulting from an injury or a fall, or appear when people bump into things.

8. But there are other underlying causes as well behind why your older adult may experience this issue more often than you’d like, including • Medications • Thinner Skin • Nutritional Deficiencies

9. Treatment And Prevention: Treatment for bruising is minimal in most cases with the body normally absorbing the leaked blood. The bruise will go away on its own that may take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months for the marks to disappear on senior citizens.

10. In the instance of severe bruising, seek medical help right away. Putting a cold compress on a bruise that has occurred as the result of a minor bump or fall can reduce the bleeding and improve swelling. However, there are some steps family members can take to help mitigate the risks, including

11. Assisting your beloved with getting up from a seat • Keeping a tidy living environment free of clutter or furniture (clearing their apartment of any fall hazards) that could cause tripping or bumping • Providing guided assistance like canes or walkers, and placing hand rails strategically around the living space can ensure stability.

12. No matter how normal bruising may seem, if your loved one experiences consistent bruising, a trip to the doctors is highly recommended, and consulting with a home care advisor, York County regarding high quality professional care providers is also a great idea. With professionals taking care of your loved one, you can rest easy that they’ll live their best and healthiest lives.

13. Thanks!