Resources
Broken Hip
People over the age of 65 are at greater risk of breaking their hips, especially if they have osteoporosis. Recovery time can range anywhere from six weeks, if all goes well, up to a year, if there are complications. During this time patients will require assistance to avoid complications and increase the possibility of a full recovery.
How can you help your loved one cope with a broken hip?
Talk with an occupational therapist; they are trained to help people overcome disabilities so they can function in work and home environments. You will want to ask about assistive devices that can improve his/her quality of life and help the individual remain as independent as possible.
There are many devices that can help an individual suffering from a broken hip perform many activities that they believed would be impossible – such as getting dressed, bathing, toileting, etc.
How can I help my parent, who is recovering with a broken hip, to prevent falls at home?
Preventing falls will be critical. In addition to having a certified home health aide inside the home, you can hire trained and certified aging-in-place specialists who can offer advice on how to make the home as safe and fall-proof as possible. These specialists can then make the necessary adjustments to the home. They can be found on the internet at CAPS.
Here are some general suggestions that may help to prevent a fall:
- Rearrange the furniture to create an unobstructed passageway into and around all rooms
- Make sure no rugs or carpets bunch up or have frayed edges that could be tripped on, and that all rugs and carpets are securely anchored to the floor
- Install grab bars in the bathroom and railings in all stairwells
- Add lighting so that all stairs, exits and entrances are well lit and pose no hazard
- Tape all cords to the wall
- Warn your parent to only carry very small loads, as larger ones could cause a loss of balance
- Check to see that the soles of any shoes your parent wears in the home don't stick to the carpet and are not likely to cause falls
You will also want to consider your other Home Care options. To view the different types of home care in New York, read about Home Care Options. If you would like a Home Health NYC representative to contact you, fill out this brief questionnaire and a member of our staff will contact you shortly.
How can I make it easier for my loved one get around while suffering from a broken hip?
You can advise him/her to consider getting a handicapped parking sticker. An application and additional information can be located here: NYC Parking Permits For People With Disabilities.
Having a handicapped sticker would ensure that your parent could always park close to the entrance of the building he or she is going to and might enable your parent to get out more.
Also, many communities provide rides for seniors, which would be another option, as would taking a cab or getting a ride from a friend, relative, or caregiver.
To view information on common Home Care Products for individuals whom are suffering from a broken hip click here.