Experts are saying that senior citizens of today are a lot healthier than the elderly a few decades ago. Not only are they getting sick less, but they are also more active. They are living fuller lives, something that the old folks in the past couldn’t have done.
What the Numbers Say
Statistics show than one third of all seniors need medical attention in a hospital annually. The reasons for hospitalization are very varied, but most of it is caused by the declining condition of their bodies. The fact remains however, that life expectancy is on the rise.
What Increased Life Expectancy Means
The increase in life expectancy means that people people would need care for a longer period. Though they are living longer years, it does not mean that they are immune from the more common ailments. Even if they don’t get sick, their body conditions really aren’t at their top forms anymore.
Common Reasons for Hospitalization
When a person becomes a senior citizen, the chances of being hospitalized are increased. There are two major reasons why a person can be hospitalized, these are due to injuries and heart problems.
Common Senior Citizen Injuries
Falls are the most common causes of injuries for the elderly. As people grow older, the chances of falling are greatly increased. Half of all those who are over 80 are likely to experience falling at some point.
The most common type of injury for seniors who have fallen is a hip injury. It accounts for more than 40% of all the injuries that seniors suffer because of falls
We all know that as people start to age, their bones become a lot weaker. This would account for the brittleness of the bones. When a person who doesn’t have a strong structure falls, the bones could easily break.
Other Types of Injuries
There are other types of injuries that seniors are prone to getting. These include injuries from motor vehicle accidents, poisoning from medications and fires. Their frail physical conditions can make them suffer more from these injuries. It is important that they be given immediate medical attention should they suffer from any of them.
Illness among Senior Citizens
When it comes to illnesses, heart problems are the most common reasons why seniors get hospitalized. These problems include heart attacks and strokes. When seniors exhibit signs and symptoms of any heart ailment, they should be brought to the hospital right away so they can be treated.
Something as simple as flu can cause the hospitalization of a senior. In their stage in life, a simple flu can cause a great deal of problems already. It should be treated right away so that it won’t get any worse or cause other conditions.
These are the most common reasons why seniors get taken to a hospital. If you are living with a member of your family who is a senior citizen, then you should know about these things so you can take better care of them. You can also share what you’ve learned to make them aware of the health risks.
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