senior lady looking at arm bruise

It happens to all of us, especially as we get older. Maybe while using the vacuum, we bump into the side of the coffee table, never thinking twice about it. But by the following day, a spot of purple hues has spread over the wounded area. How could such a nasty bruise be caused by such a small accident?

While it may look alarming, bruising in older adults is rather common. Thinning skin coupled with a decrease in fat can mean that even a tiny scrape or bump can cause more extensive bruising than it might for younger skin.

The elder care team at Abby Senior Care offers the following ideas to help decrease the possibilities for bruising, and also to help bruises heal better when they do occur:

Protecting Against Bruises:

  • Evaluate the older adult’s home, both inside and outside, to confirm that there are wide, clear walkways. Remove any hazards which could make the person stumble, trip, or bump into objects. Abby Senior Care, a dedicated provider of elder care services in Denver and surrounding communities, offers safety evaluations as well, to ensure all bases are covered.
  • Encourage the older adult to wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers when doing tasks which could cause injury or stress to aging skin.
  • If the senior smokes, help them to stop. Smoking adversely impacts the body’s ability to make collagen, which can lead to easier bruising.
  • Be sure the person’s diet includes adequate amounts of vitamin C, which plays an important role in the production of collagen.
  • Recognize that certain drugs can increase the risk of bruising (but know too that the senior should not cease taking any medication without talking to the physician):
    • Aspirin
    • NSAIDs (Advil, Aleve, ibuprofen)
    • Anticoagulants (coumadin, heparin)
    • Corticosteroids
    • Antiplatelet meds

Helping Bruises to Heal:

  • Place a cold pack on the bruised area for 20 minutes to reduce blood circulation to that particular site. This can help reduce the size of the bruise while reducing swelling.
  • If at all possible, raise the area that is bruised.
  • Cover the bruise with a compression bandage to lower swelling.

If a bruise occurs out of nowhere, or if you are at all concerned by a certain bruise, get in touch with the doctor as soon as possible. This is especially pressing if the senior has begun taking a new medication, or if bleeding is happening in the nose, gums, or any other part of the body.

At Abby Senior Care, our elder care services in Denver and nearby areas are here to help older adults continue to have an energetic lifestyle while decreasing the risk of injury. Some of the various ways we achieve this are through:

  • Help with baths/showers and other personal care needs, like skin care
  • Help and support as needed with walking or transferring
  • Ensuring a tidy and organized home atmosphere that is clear of fall hazards
  • Assisting with exercise programs to build up balance and strength
  • Monitoring for and reporting any alterations in condition right away
  • And a lot more

Contact us any time for additional aging skin care advice and to find out more about our full array of individualized in-home care services. We are pleased to offer a no-cost in-home consultation at your convenience. Call us today at 303-699-8840 and let us know how we can help!