What causes trauma in the elderly?

Older trauma patients more frequently are injured from low-energy and household accidents. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury for persons over age 65 and the leading cause of death from trauma for those over 80 years of age.

Why are geriatric patients at special risk for trauma?

Older adults have reduced vital capacity, functional residual capacity, and forced expiratory volume (FEV1), which diminishes respiratory reserve and limits the ability to tolerate even minor trauma [16,36]. Responses to hypoxia, hypercarbia, and acidosis are often blunted in older adults [37].

What are the most common geriatric trauma consideration?

Common geriatric trauma cases Falls from standing height or less, such as from a wheelchair, bed or commode. Motor vehicle crashes. Other issues related to the physical environment of geriatric patients inside or outside the home.

What is the most common cause for death from trauma in patients over 75 years of age?

Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) was the most frequent cause of death, with a significant peak in patients older than 75 years.

How falls affect the elderly?

Falls can be dangerous for an elderly person as they may result in hip fractures, especially among women, who have 18\% risk of getting a hip fracture in their lifetime. The risk of fractures is higher in people who have osteoporosis.

Why are geriatric patients classified as one of the high risk patients?

Geriatric patients are at higher risk of falling for a number of reasons, including postural hypotension, balance or gait impairment, polypharmacy (more than three prescription medications) and use of sedative-hypnotic medications.

What is geriatric trauma?

Geriatric trauma refers to a traumatic injury that occurs to an elderly person. People around the world are living longer than ever.

What is the leading cause of injury-related deaths in adults 65 and older?

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults age 65 and older, and the age-adjusted fall death rate is increasing.

Which of the following is the cause of most accidental fatalities of older adults?

Unintentional injuries account for the vast majority (85\%) of all injury-related deaths among older Americans, according to a new data brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

What physical changes in some older adults place them at risk for accidents?

In general, fractures are the most common serious injury resulting from falls in older persons. Specifically, fractures of the hip, wrist, humerus, and pelvis in this age group result from the combined effects of falls, osteoporosis, and other factors that increase susceptibility to injury.

What increases fall risk?

The risk factors considered to have a high association with falls, which are also modifiable, include: the fear of falling. limitations in mobility and undertaking the activities of daily living. impaired walking patterns (gait)

What are the physiological changes in the elderly?

Age-related Physiological Changes and Their Clinical Significance Physiological changes occur with aging in all organ systems. The cardiac output decreases, blood pressure increases and arteriosclerosis develops. The lungs show impaired gas exchange, a decrease in vital capacity and slower expiratory flow rates.

How does the human body change with age?

Physiological changes occur with aging in all organ systems. The cardiac output decreases, blood pressure increases and arteriosclerosis develops. The lungs show impaired gas exchange, a decrease in vital capacity and slower expiratory flow rates. The creatinine clearance decreases with age although …

What are the effects of age on metabolism in the elderly?

These changes with age have important practical implications for the clinical management of elderly patients: metabolism is altered, changes in response to commonly used drugs make different drug dosages necessary and there is need for rational preventive programs of diet and exercise in an effort to delay or reverse some of these changes.