Hip Fractures and Seniors
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that nearly 300,000 adults over the age of 65 are hospitalized for hip fractures. While three-quarters of these hip fractures happen to women due to decreases in bone density, anyone over the age of 65 runs a risk of fracturing their hip.
Hip fractures are often caused by falling, and the aftermath of a fracture can be disheartening at times. Recovery can include surgery, inpatient hospital stays, rehabilitative therapy sessions, and some adjustments to the home in order to stay healthy and safe. Fortunately, people with hip fractures can manage their recovery when they find the right skilled nursing facility, sometimes called a nursing home or health care community, in Shreveport, LA.
Preventing Hip Fractures
Of course, the ideal goal is to prevent a hip fracture from happening at all. There are ways you can reduce your risk of fracturing a hip because of a fall:
- Review your medication list to ensure none of your medicines cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fatigue
- Talk to your doctor about the best way for you to work on balance exercises at home or with a physical therapist
- Review your bone density and develop a plan to bolster it as needed with your physician
- Make adjustments to your home to make it safer for you to navigate around it throughout the day and night
Recovering From a Hip Fracture
The majority of hip fractures do require a surgical fix. Most hip fracture repair surgeries are done within 24 hours after admission to the hospital. The goal of any hip fracture repair surgery is to stabilize the bones, enabling the person to get up and out of bed as quickly as possible. Without surgery, treatment for a hip fracture would require the person to lie in bed for 2-3 months, which can lead to serious health complications, including pressure wounds and respiratory distress.
After the surgery, the adult typically remains in the hospital for at least 3 days. During this time, the physicians and surgeons develop a pain management plan while social workers work on a discharge plan that will promote healthy recovery.
Hip Fracture Recovery in Skilled Nursing Facilities
The majority of older adults who fracture a hip and have hip repair surgery will need extensive inpatient physical therapy and nursing oversight. While these services can be received in a rehabilitation hospital, most seniors choose to discharge from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility, sometimes called a skilled nursing facility nursing home, or health care community. The right nursing home in Shreveport, LA can provide intensive inpatient therapy services as well as nursing oversight around the clock to help with pain management and any other co-occurring conditions.
Skilled nursing facilities, also called health care communities, offer clinical support in a more comfortable setting than a hospital. Therapy gyms are designed to improve balance and mimic challenges that residents will face when returning home to daily routines. Moreover, caregivers are there to provide support and assistance around-the-clock, which can feel like a relief for adults who are still recovering from their hospital stay.
While the average stay at a skilled nursing facility for a hip fracture recovery can vary from person to person, it is likely that a resident can be discharged safely to home within 2-3 months. Most importantly, they will return home feeling stronger, more confident, and more capable, which will increase their chances of staying healthy and safe.