A fractured hip is a common problem among the elderly population. This is mostly because of the fragility of their bones due to osteoporosis. It often happens when they fall down and land on their side. Since this is such a common problem, many people must take care of them once they can leave the hospital. While 40 percent of people ages 65 and up end up going to a long-term care facility for their recovery, 60 percent need someone else to care for them.
Instructions
1. Make the home that you will be caring for the elderly person in safer. Remove all tripping hazards--everything from rugs to decorations on the floor. Add ramps up the stairs and railings throughout the entire house. This is especially true in the bathroom and anywhere else he might sit.
2. Use urinary catheters and bed pans to help the elderly person go to the bathroom. These are used mostly when she is first released and is still on bed rest. Many times walking or moving around can be very painful for the first several days and using these items can limit that pain.
3. Put pressure stockings on the elderly person if he is going to be immobile for more than 2 to 3 days. These stockings will actually help increase the blood flow to the inactive areas, thus reducing the risk of blood clots.
4. Use a wheel chair to move the elderly from room to room for the first several days.
5. Ease the elderly person out of the wheel chair on occasion to help her start building her muscles back up. Many times these patients are required to go to therapy. You should attend the therapy with the elderly person so you can learn the exercises and drills that she is supposed to be doing. This will help her muscles grow faster and stronger. If this is ignored she can begin to get sores and illnesses related to her lack of movement.
6. Use hand-held weights and walkers to work the muscles that can be worked while he is recovering. Work to motivate him to do more and continue the rehab even though it might be painful and incredibly difficult.
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