Yesterday was National Injury Prevention Day. With that in mind, we created this blog to provide tips for how seniors can prevent injury.
Over 90% of injury-related hospital admissions among seniors are due to falls or vehicle collisions. As we age, our tendons and ligaments lose their elasticity and this can make them more prone to injury. Additionally, seniors take longer to recover from injury.
Below are 5 tips seniors can follow to prevent injury.
1. Check your vision. With age, the ability to see up close decreases and more time is needed to adjust to changing levels of light. These problems can be often corrected through glasses or contact lenses.
2. Follow the 10% rule. When performing an activity, you should not increase your activity by more than 10% per week. This allows your body to get used to the demands.
3. Listen to your body. Knowing when your body needs rest can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
4. Check your hearing. This is important because reduced or loss of hearing can cause you to be unaware of dangers such as smoke alarms and sirens.
5. Warm up and cool down after exercising. Warming up reduces muscle soreness and injury risk while cooling down after a workout allows for a gradual recovery of blood pressure and heart rate.
The Boom Health app allows you to manage your loved one’s home care in one app and takes the stress out of organizing care. Download the app on the App Store or Google Play Store.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
