Tips to Deal with Personal Injury as an Aging Adult
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Although age is just a number, you’ve got to be more vigilant about injuries once you step on the other side of the fifties. You may sustain more injuries even with a minor bump, right? Did you know that one in four older adults falls each year in the US? And road accident statistics are equally daunting. Seniors are also at risk of nursing home abuse and neglect. That’s a lot to stress about for people in their golden years!
A personal injury is worrisome for anyone, but it’s a more daunting concern for an aging person. The sad part is that most mishaps are preventable. It means you could save yourself from trouble if a negligent driver, healthcare provider, or business owner had done their duty of care well enough.
So how can you deal with a personal injury as an aging adult? Well, it’s similar to any victim, but you need to go the extra mile with recovery and self-care. Lucky for you, we’ve got some tips to help you deal with your woes. Let’s get you there!
Prevention is key
Nothing is better than prevention when addressing the risks of personal injury. In fact, you’ve got to focus on it as a senior. Your bones lose strength, reflexes slow down, and eyesight fades over the years. But you can still do your bit to minimize the risk of mishaps, right?
Start by decluttering your living space to eliminate the chances of trips and falls. Install grab bars and handrails in the bathroom and use mobility aids when necessary. You can skip driving and ask someone else to do it for you.
Be watchful about negligent drivers on the road and spills and obstructions in retail spaces. You cannot do much about these risks except be more vigilant.
Seek medical attention immediately
Slips and falls, road accidents, and medical negligence can happen anytime, no matter how careful you are. As a senior, you’ve got to seek medical attention immediately. Don’t ignore any injury, even if it appears minor.
Your risk runs high when it comes to fractures and internal injuries, so don’t wait for things to worsen. Visit a doctor or the ER right away and get yourself checked out.
Bring a personal injury lawyer on board
Every personal injury victim deserves compensation for their pain and suffering. After all, you’ll want a negligent person to pay, right? And money can be a savior for dealing with long medical bills as a retiree. The best option is to seek legal guidance from personal injury lawyers right after the accident.
They can help you deal with the legal complexities and ensure the compensation you deserve. You’ve got to fight for it, so be sure to have reputable and well-reviewed specialists in personal injury law on your side and in your corner. You need them even more when fighting against a large corporation, nursing home, or retail store owner because they often have strong legal teams.
Keep a record of your injury
This one might seem like a lot of work, but it’s crucial to your compensation claim. Keep a detailed record of your injury, including any medical bills, diagnostic reports, and treatments you receive. You will probably need them as evidence to validate your injuries during a compensation claim.
Having a paper trail is worthwhile in case anything goes wrong. You can ask a family member to preserve and manage the documents.
Ask for help
Don’t hesitate to ask for help because you may need a bit more as a senior. Your family or friends will be happy to do their bit by running errands, helping you get around, or finding another nursing home where you can be safe.
And don’t worry if you don’t have anyone to turn to. You can hire a personal care assistant to support you during the recovery process. You’re not invincible, so don’t try to do everything alone!
Take care of yourself
Most importantly, take care of yourself. It’s one thing every personal injury victim should do because such mishaps take a physical and emotional toll. You’ll probably need to go the extra mile with self-care basics, such as eating well, exercising according to your capacity, and getting enough rest.
Set small and realistic targets, celebrate progress, and stay motivated. Avoid stress and negative thoughts as they can slow down healing.
Dealing with personal injury is challenging, even more, as an aging adult. But you’ve got to stay strong and invest in self-care to get on the road to recovery. And don’t give up on your compensation because you need it and deserve it!
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