Can Mobility Aids Really Be Dangerous?
July 8th, 2009. Published under Elder Care. No Comments.
It is well-know that walking stick and other types of mobility aids greatly increase the quality of life for elderly and disabled people. But new research has revealed that mobility aids could be putting these vulnerable people at risk. If mobility aids are inappropriately suited for people, or if they do not know how to use them properly and safely, then mobility aids can do more harm than good.
It is estimated that over forty-seven thousand elderly people are treated in emergency departments across America each year for injuries sustained from falls involving walking sticks. That’s three per cent of all falls occurring amongst senior citizens aged 65 and above.
The National Centre for Injury Prevention and Control have been examining six years of emergency department records. Between 2001 and 2006 there was an average of 129 elderly Americans treated in emergency departments daily, with eighty-seven per cent of those injuries involving walking sticks. The research revealed that elderly women experienced around two-thirds of the injuries.
The study shows that patients need to think more carefully when buying mobility aids, and more time ensuring that they know how to use them safely. Mobility aids can be very important for elderly or disabled people, giving them independence and the chance to stay in their own home for longer. It’s incredibly important that they know exactly how to use the mobility aid in the safest way, because falls experienced by these vulnerable people can often have serious healthcare consequences.
The research also found that for elderly people who use walking sticks, the likelihood of falling increases with age, with the highest injury rates experienced by those over the age of eighty-five. The most common fall-related injury was a fracture, at about forty per cent. A third of all injuries were sustained by the hip and pelvis, and half of all injuries associated with walking sticks occurred within the home.
One in three people who have a fall involving a walking stick require hospitalisation, and falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injury in the United States. For many simple falls can lead to serious medical consequences. It’s important that elderly people take as many steps as possible to reduce their chance of having an accident, including following an exercise program, having their doctors frequently review their medication, having regular eye exams and adapting their home to make it as safe as possible.
It is recommended that mobility aids are purchased from reputable companies who can be trusted, as many companies employ high-pressure sales tactics and offer sub-standard customer service.
John Mce writes on a number of subjects including stairlifts. Stannah are a British family-owned stairlift company dedicated to quality, safety and service.
http://www.stannahstairlifts.co.uk/