If you have an elderly loved one who is frail or ill, you may already be worried about Florida slip and fall injuries. These types of injuries are in fact one of the leading causes of personal injury among elderly individuals. If someone you care for has suddenly been diagnosed with a new illness, their risk for these types of injuries may be higher than average, especially as they learn to adjust to their medication or condition. Some eye conditions as well as serious illnesses such as dementia, arthritis, and other illnesses can all increase the risk of a slip and fall accident. Even a new type of medication can lead to dizziness or faintness that leads to a slip and fall accident.
While for a young, healthy person a slip and fall accident may be nothing more than an embarrassment, for an elderly person who is already ill it can lead to serious complications, broken bones, Florida spinal cord injuries, head injuries, and other serious injuries. Luckily, there are several things you can do:
1) Make sure that your loved one gets the treatment they need. Whether it is an eye condition or a condition that affects muscles and mobility, getting proper treatment from a physician is vital and can help reduce the symptoms that can lead to slip and fall accidents in the first place. When discussing treatment with a physician, make sure that your elderly loved one also gives advice about avoiding accidents and complications possible with their illness.
2) Help your loved one adjust to life with a new illness. If an elderly loved one has been just diagnosed with a serious illness, they will need some time to adjust to life with new mobility, new medications, or the new condition. It may be helpful to stay with your loved one for awhile or hire temporary part-time help at home to ensure that your family member gets the support they need. Help with daily tasks and gentle reminders about treatment or doctor’s appointments can go a long way towards ensuring that their health is taken care of.
3) Offer help with accessibility. Today, there are many tools and resources available for elderly loved ones with a serious ailment. If your elderly loved one has been diagnosed with a specific ailment, it can be useful to join a support group for people with that illness. This will help give you some ideas of the types of adjustment that may be necessary in order to lead a full, happy life. You may also want to visit a health supply store to find tools and options that can help your elderly loved one stay safe. For example, if your elderly loved one has problems with their eyesight or with mobility, getting no-slip adhesive stick-ons for hardwood floors may be a good option. Grab bars in the bathrooms can also help anyone who has mobility issues. There are number of solutions available.
If a member of your family has been injured through someone’s recklessness or negligence, call the Flaxman Law Group to arrange for a free accident consultation to discuss your case. The amount of care and attention that your elderly loved one may need can result in substantial costs. If someone has caused the injuries, the Flaxman Law Group can help you understand what your options are to ensure that your loved one’s financial status allows him or her to seek the medical attention they need.