Tips To Prevent Bruising In The Elderly

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Tips To Prevent Bruising In The Elderly

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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.
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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.
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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.
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As weve already mentioned, pay special attention
to bruises among the elderly as a bruise that
doesnt heal properly could indicate a hematoma
thats 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.
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Fever, increased pain and warmth around the area
are some of the key signs that something is amiss
with regards to your loved ones bruising.
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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.
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But there are other underlying causes as well
behind why your older adult may experience this
issue more often than youd like, including

• Medications
• Thinner Skin
• Nutritional Deficiencies

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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.
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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
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• 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.

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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 theyll live their best and
healthiest lives.
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Thanks!