47,000 Elderly Hurt in Walker, Cane Mishaps Each Year
MONDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) -- Each year, more than 47,000 elderly Americans are treated at hospital emergency departments for injuries from falls that involve walkers and canes, according to a federal government study released Monday.
That works out to average of 129 injuries a day.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers analyzed emergency department records from 2001 to 2006. They found that most of the falls involved walkers (87 percent), and people 65 and older were seven times more likely to be injured in a walker-related fall than in a cane-related fall.
Among the other findings:
Women sustained 78 percent of walker-related injuries and 66 percent of cane-related injuries.
The risk of falling while using a walker or a cane increased with age, with the highest injury rate among those ages 85 and older.
Fractures were the most common type of injury suffered while using canes (40 percent) and walkers (38 percent). About a third of walker- or cane-related injuries were to the lower trunk, such as the hip or pelvis.
Most injuries associated with walkers and canes occurred at home -- 60 percent and 56 percent, respectively.
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Oh god. That is really sad. Ya true, with increase of age, the risk of falling while using walker increases. Once they get fractured, it becomes difficult to come to routine. Taking care of geriatric is very good. Many geriatric may not always be able to express their health concerns. One can help them to gain stronghold in life. To get more knowledge on geriatric care, refer http://www.zippy-health.com/essence-of-fine-geriatric-care-part-ii/