(3-minute read)
At this time of year, I often get patients asking how to prevent the elderly from sustaining injuries in Bristol during the Autumn months. It can be a worrying time for those who have older parents, relatives and friends who may be susceptible to slips, trips and falls.
As an experienced osteopath in Westbury Park, I treat elderly patients every week, and many have the same issues when it comes to current and previous injuries sustained.
There are common injuries sustained by the elderly, which include trips, falls, slips, sprains, fractures and strains.
What's the most common elderly injury?
Preventing elderly people from getting injuries across Bristol during the Autumn is important, as during colder, wetter weather and with less daylight, they can be more vulnerable to falling.
According to Government statistics, a third of people over 65 and half of people over 80 fall at least once a year.
Falls are the most common cause of death from injury in the over-65s, costing the NHS more than £2 billion per year.
Falls are not a normal part of ageing and are not inevitable. In fact, many are preventable.
Fall prevention is a major factor when it comes to preventing elderly injuries in Bristol throughout the year. Muscle strengthening and balance training are vital elements.
My motto 'prevention is better than cure' comes to mind when consulting elderly patients who have injuries at my Henleaze osteopathic clinic.
I advise simple preventative measures, including staying active, daily walking, swimming, gardening, aqua aerobics and other forms of gentle exercise. Movement is life, and this is especially true in later life.
Injury prevention for the elderly
The most important preventative advice for everyone (not just the elderly) is to work on balance and stability. Practising balancing on one leg is a simple, effective way to stimulate the muscles and joints and plays a massive part in fall prevention.
Elderly injuries can be prevented through ongoing and daily mindfulness, such as keeping warm to help reduce muscle aches and joint stiffness, and improve blood circulation to extremities.
A healthy, balanced diet with supplements can help with joint inflammation, as well as prevent further issues for older patients.
Tried-and-tested techniques such as an Epsom Salt Bath once or twice a week can also benefit elderly people, to ease pain, provide additional magnesium for better bone health, and reduce muscle stress.
Another good way to prevent elderly injuries in Bristol this season is by booking in with me for a Maintenance Osteopathic Treatment. Find out more here.
How can an osteopath help with elderly injuries?
I treat older patients with injuries regularly and have nearly 30 years' professional experience in providing specialised osteopathic treatment and care to the elderly.
To find out more about osteopathic treatments for elderly people in Bristol, please visit here.
If you have an elderly loved one who spends time in the garden, I advise that they read this to help reduce the risk of gardening injuries.
Finally, many older people suffer from hip arthritis, making them more susceptible to injuries and falls as a result. To see how I can help with this, please visit here.
To book a consultation at my Bristol osteopathic clinic today, please visit here.