Everyone ages. However, aging doesn’t mean you can’t protect seniors from personal injuries. It’s a given that the risk of injury increases with age. A minor fall can lead to an elderly person suffering from life-altering consequences. Here are some living adjustments and legal countermeasures that can help protect seniors from personal injuries.
Common Hazards Associated with Senior Injury
You need to be aware of the common hazards that can lead to seniors experiencing personal injury. From falls, medication errors, medical malpractices, and more. You have to keep an eye on every possible risk. Making certain living adjustments can aid in protecting seniors from personal injuries.
Accidental Falls
According to research data, falls are deemed the most common cause of injury in the elderly age group. A fall can be due to a variety of factors including muscle weakness, poor vision, stress, and overall decreased balance.
To help decrease the likelihood of falls:
- Ensure proper lighting in the senior’s living space.
- Install grab bars along the stairs and in bathrooms.
- Provide access to mobility canes, walkers, and other resources.
- Have non-slip mats inside bathrooms.
- Do away with any tripping hazards such as carpets, rugs, and clutter.
Medication Errors
Seniors are usually on a multi-medicine treatment plan. However, medication errors can lead to health complications due to overdose or certain adverse drug interactions.
The risk of such errors can be lowered by:
- Using pill organizers.
- Using efficient medication apps.
- Consulting healthcare providers and caretakers to review medication plans.
Elder Abuse
It’s an unfortunate truth that most seniors experience elder abuse or neglect. Such abuse can occur in senior care facilities or their home. That’s why it’s imperative to be aware of signs associated with elder abuse.
The risk of elder abuse can be mitigated by:
- Regularly communicating with the senior.
- Reporting possible signs of abuse to the proper authorities.
- Opting for reputable senior care facilities.
Poor Wellbeing
Lifestyle adjustments of focusing on the physical environment, while important, can only take you so far if seniors are doing poorly in the health department. Regular exercise is recommended by healthcare professionals to ensure seniors remain active. Of course, the physical treatment plan should accommodate the senior’s mobility, cognition, and other aspects.
Remaining active is another way for the elderly to lower the risk of facing accidental falls and slips. Physical activity is also helpful in reducing the risk of accidental muscle and joint sprains.
Along with exercising, attention should be paid to proper nutrition. Depending on the senior’s dietary requirements, seniors should remain hydrated.
Preventing social isolation is another way to improve poor well-being. Seniors should be encouraged to remain connected with friends and family. If possible, they should be given the proper resources to partake in game nights or volunteer opportunities. Having a reliable social network also helps with identifying signs of possible elder abuse.
Legal Protection Tips for Senior Injury
There are efficient legal protections available to ensure a senior’s well-being in case of personal injuries. Familiarizing yourself with such protections can aid with receiving fair compensation for the involved senior.
Medical Attention
In case of an injury, prompt medical attention should be sought. Reliable healthcare providers are a must to determine the severity of the injury and what needs to be done for proper treatment.
Proper Documentation
Legal proceedings can be streamlined to an extent through proper documentation. Ensure that a senior’s past medical records are always accessible and are in order. Of course, the latest injury needs to be documented as well. The more information provided, the better. Take photographs, witness statements, medical data, create the timeline of an injury, and more.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
A person has the right to file a personal injury claim. There are tons of resources available for injury treatment and compensation. However, navigating the legal landscape isn’t easy. Certain States have different rules when it comes to filing personal injury lawsuits.
Let’s take Tennessee as an example since you might not be aware that the statute of limitations for personal injury in Tennessee is one year. Therefore, a Gallatin personal injury lawyer will urge you to start legal proceedings ahead of time in order to avoid breaking deadlines.
Conclusion
Ensuring senior citizens remain projected from personal injury is a multifaceted undertaking. Not only do you have to make a bunch of lifestyle adjustments to mitigate the risk of injury, but you also need to be aware of the legal recourse if a personal injury does occur. Remaining in contact with healthcare professionals and gaining assistance from a personal injury lawyer can make the process easier.