According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), seniors are nine times more likely to suffer from fall-related skeletal injuries due to the inevitable signs and effects of ageing. This is the reason why there are a lot of families who have to take care of seniors who have been diagnosed with skeletal injuries due to fall-related injuries such as hip fractures. However, only a few are aware of the importance of taking first aid courses when it comes to taking care of these types of patients. Here are some of the reasons why it is important for people who take care of these seniors to receive proper training through Canadian first aid courses.
The majority of seniors who suffer from falls sustain serious injuries
In the same statistics that was released by the PHAC, it was revealed that 25% of seniors who suffer from falls obtain serious injuries while only a mere 5% suffer minor injuries. This means that the majority of seniors who suffer from falls develop serious injuries in the process and that families will most likely need to take care of a senior who has serious skeletal injuries.
Many families cannot provide the type of care that these patients need
Through this statistics, it was also revealed that 40% of admissions in nursing homes are caused by the inability of many families to take care of their elderly who has sustained injuries from falling. A strong testament to this fact is that 20% of seniors who have sustained hip fractures caused by falling die within a year of being diagnosed. Considering that patients are sent home after a few weeks of being diagnosed, a factor which plays a major fact in this high mortality rate is the type of care that are given to these patients at home.
Patients have other medical needs
Patients who suffer from skeletal injuries due to falling also suffer from self-image issues and other mental and emotional problems. They also suffer from lack of confidence and depression which can make them more prone to other injuries, both accidental and self-inflicted.
By taking Canadian first aid courses, families will learn how to properly manage patients with serious skeletal injuries through pharmacological and non-pharmacological ways that will not cut through their budget plan. This means that they will be able to accommodate the special needs of seniors who have skeletal injuries and that families will no longer need to send their loved ones to nursing homes while lowering the mortality rate. Taking first aid courses also teach individuals how to properly handle and monitor patients who have self-image and other emotional issues.