Slip and falls can be dangerous to people of any age. For the aging population in Pennsylvania, however, it can be even more dangerous. As you age, the likelihood of a broken bone when you fall increases. To make matters worse, broken bones may be more problematic and damaging for older people. Why are the stakes higher for the elderly who break bones?
The Washington Post explains that when you are young, you can usually bounce right back from a broken bone. It may take weeks to a few months, but you will most likely have the same level of function that you did previously. When you are older, you cannot rely on that fact anymore.
In fact, one study shows that older women who suffer a hip break may not recover their quality of life, even after 10 years. Less than half of adults around 84 years old can resume daily activities after two and a half years following a hip break. As you age, low bone density becomes an issue. For some, this may manifest as osteoporosis, whereas others may have a less serious osteopenia. Both, however, can lead to a higher risk of bone damage when you fall.
Sometimes, a fracture can be an emergency. Breaks to the neck, skull, hip, back and even upper leg fractures can demand a call to emergency services. Signs of an emergency include losing consciousness, broken skin or the skin turning clammy and pale.
The above article is for your educational benefit and is not to be interpreted as legal advice.
