The skin gets thinner with age which causes seniors to bruise easily. It may just take minor bumps, scrapes, or hits to cause a bruise and take months to heal. Columbus Home care professionals discuss a few useful facts about bruising in aging adults.

  1. Certain Medications Contribute to Bruising

Blood thinning prescriptions and over-the-counter medication can make the blood slow to clot. Some supplements can also affect the speed at which blood clots form. Bruises are more likely to form when the blood doesn't clot properly. When some medications combine, they can cause your loved one to feel lightheaded, dizzy or even reduce alertness. These side effects can also cause seniors to fall and get a bruise.

Discuss your loved one's medications with his or her doctor, as a doctor may be able to set some adjustments to the prescriptions to lower the chances of injuries. The doctor may also advise your loved one to stop taking supplements that tend to thin the blood.

  1. Bruises Can Indicate a Serious Health Condition

Blood disorders can lead to improper blood clotting. The blood settles under the skin and creates dark purple and green marks. If your elderly loved one frequently gets large bruises and is unaware of the cause, discuss this matter with his or her doctor to check for any medical conditions. Once the doctor has treated the medical issue, your loved one may experience fewer bruises.

Impaired vision can make it difficult to notice hazards when walking, causing seniors to misstep, fall, and get bruises. An effective way for seniors to tend to this issue is to have eye exams regularly and to ensure the furniture and other objects in the house don't have sharp edges. Furniture should be arranged so that it shouldn't obstruct the common walking areas in the house. There should be no loose rugs and wires, and other items on the floor that can cause your loved one to fall, trip, or bump and get unnecessary bruising. For maximum convenience, maintain proper lighting and add handrails in the home, especially in showers and bathtubs.

  1. Exercise Can Reduce the Risk of Bruising

Seniors often find themselves leading a sedentary lifestyle due to mobility issues, and conversely, this lack of movement can exacerbate their mobility challenges. The two factors are often intertwined, each becoming the cause and result of the other. When muscles are not regularly engaged, they gradually weaken, leading to decreased mobility. Due to reduced physical activity or exercise, seniors may encounter difficulties maintaining their balance and controlling their movements, rendering them more susceptible to falls and bruising. The cycle of inactivity and its impact on muscle strength and coordination highlight the importance of encouraging regular physical activity and exercise for seniors to maintain their independence and overall well-being.

  1. Nutritional Considerations for Reducing Bruises

Maintaining healthy blood vessels and preventing bruising in the elderly relies heavily on a well-balanced diet brimming with essential nutrients. Including vitamin C, vitamin K, and bioflavonoids in sufficient amounts contributes significantly to strengthening blood vessels and facilitating the body's natural healing process. Emphasizing the importance of a nutrient-rich diet can benefit an elderly person's overall health, encompassing enhanced skin resilience to bruising and improved cardiovascular well-being. By promoting and facilitating access to these essential nutrients, caregivers and healthcare professionals can empower elderly individuals to lead healthier, more active lives and reduce the risk of bruising and related health concerns.

Preventive Measures:

There are several preventive measures that caregivers and elderly individuals can implement to minimize the occurrence of bruises. Regular exercise and strength training can improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. Creating a safe home environment by removing hazards and installing grab bars and handrails can also be beneficial. Additionally, being cautious about sun exposure and using sunscreen can protect the skin from damage and reduce the risk of bruising.

Conclusion

These bruising factors may not be easily considered. In addition to medications, health conditions, and injuries, there is a possibility that bruises may be a result of elder abuse. Check for bruises when you visit if your loved one doesn't live with you. If you cannot check in on your loved one regularly, consider hiring professional home care Columbus Families usually rely on in-home care services to allow their loved ones to get assisted without leaving the comfort of home.