Emergency situations, especially when seniors are involved, can really be a cause for worry. If you are a caregiver for a senior parent in your family, perhaps you have taken a trip or two to the Emergency Room with them yourself.

To help you better prepare and to learn what to watch out for, we’ve prepared this list. Here are the 10 most common reasons why seniors end up in the Emergency Room.

10 Reasons Seniors go to the Emergency Room

1. Tummy aches. Abdominal pain, which includes loose bowel movements and nausea can be due to many factors. These include food poisoning, infection, or digestive disease. This must require emergency care especially for those who are elderly as this may also cause dehydration and malnutrition, among other complications.

2. Accidents and injuries. Falls, injuries, slips, and other accidents are pretty serious for the elderly who may not be as strong as when they were younger. Their bones may be brittle, and they may suffer from other issues that can make these otherwise simple injuries worse.

3. Drug side effects. They may be taking different kinds of medications, and there will be instances when some medicines may interact with another, or your elderly parent may ingest something that will have side effects with the medication they’re taking.

4. Chest pain. Chest pain is always a cause for emergency, because this can be a sign of a heart attack. Other reasons for chest pain may include blood clots, infections, or respiratory diseases.

5. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This is a respiratory disorder that covers many other diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis. This can cause fatigue and breathing difficulties that may require emergency treatment and care.

6. Heart diseases. This includes chest pain, shortness of breath, among other symptoms. This should always be taken seriously as heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the country.

7. Pneumonia. A simple flu can turn into pneumonia and can land seniors in the emergency room. While younger people can recovery, those who are older may find this difficult.

8. Spinal disorders and back pain. Back pain can cause a trip to the ER. This can be due to falls or slips, or other injuries.

9. Stroke. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the elderly and so, any sign of stroke must be considered an emergency. As caregivers, you must remain vigilant especially if your elderly parent or charge is at risk for stroke.

10. Urinary Track Infection. This must also need a trip to the ER if it is serious and when your elderly is chronically dehydrated.

As a caregiver, you must familiarize yourself with the various symptoms of these health disorders and you have to be prepared to deal with them should any of these arise.

At Blessed Home, we have easy access to nearby emergency care facilities and hospitals and are always at the ready for any emergency situation. Our staff are also adequately trained to handle these situations. Should you need help for your elderly loved ones or parents, contact us today.