Your mom fell. It happens. Statistics say that 25 percent of adults age 65 or older fall every year. More than 2.8 million of these falls require a trip to the ER. It’s also common for a person to put out a hand to break the impact of a fall.

Your mom did just that and broke her wrist. Now that she’s broken her wrist, you realize she needs more care than you can fit into your day. What do you do?

Listen to the ER Doctor’s Advice

You need to listen to everything the ER doctor says. If your mom is supposed to keep her wrist elevated, make sure she does. It will help with swelling. Keep her from using that wrist. A sling might help. If the ER department doesn’t offer a sling, ask them if she’ll need one.

Depending on the location and type of fracture, she may require surgery to pin the bones into place. That will help you get a better idea of the care she’s going to need in the next few weeks.

Ask how long the recovery will take. Your mom may not be able to use her wrist for the next three to six months. If that’s the case, she’s going to need help around the home. A mix of senior care services and home health care will work best for a bad fracture.

Why Would She Need Home Health Care?

If your mom needs surgery, there’s going to be a level of care that you may not be able to handle. Someone needs to change her surgical bandages and make sure the incision is healing correctly. If she needs IV pain relievers or antibiotics, a nurse can administer those.

In-home physical therapy may also be necessary if she’s going to need help strengthening her wrist. Home health care can also go through her house, determine where the biggest hazards, are and find ways to prevent additional falls.

How Senior Care Help?

Senior care is going to be extremely important. While your mom’s wrist heals, there are so many things she will not be able to do independently. With a broken wrist, housekeeping services are important.

If she breaks her right wrist, shifting gears and holding the steering wheel properly is hard. She’ll need transportation services for several weeks. With several medical appointments needed for follow-up x-rays, she’ll need someone to take her to those appointments.

She’s going to have a hard time pulling up her pants and buttoning them. She’s going to struggle to wash her hair and body when she can’t get her cast wet. She may need help brushing or styling her hair.

Senior care is going to help your mom. It’s also going to help you. You don’t need to completely rearrange your work schedule. Your mom doesn’t have to struggle trying to do things on her own. She has a senior care provider to help her around the home.

Sources:  https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/#

If you are considering Senior Services in Bellville OH, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161.  Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Ontario and the surrounding areas.

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Stephen Sternbach

CEO at Central Star Home Health Services

With over 35 years of experience, Stephen Sternbach has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Star Multi Care Services since 1987. After the sale of the New York and New Jersey operations of Star Multi Care Services, Sternbach brought the company private where he remains President and CEO of this 40-million dollar company. With Sternbach at the helm, Star Multi Care Services employs more than 650 employees, in six offices throughout Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.

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