Ending Life Well: Conversations & Connections
Weathering the Storm: Bone Fractures and the Importance of Advance Directives
By Alex Trevino , Caregiving and End of Life Specialist September, sadly, marks the end of our monsoon season—a period I eagerly anticipate each year. Although it is a beautiful time, it is also a time to be mindful and vigilant of your surroundings due to multiple weather-related threats. For instance, did you know lightning kills more people than tornadoes and hurricanes? Yet it is interesting that most of us do not see a thunderstorm as a direct threat to our safety. September is also Falls Prevention Awareness Month. Being mindful of falls is crucial, especially for older adults, as a fall can easily lead to bone fractures. Like lightning, we tend to underestimate the threat of such events. In reality, bone fractures are not only painful injuries, but they present high complication risks often leading to a downward spiral of health concerns, and even death. These types of injuries can create “the perfect storm,” significantly impacting an individual's quality of life and overall health, particularly in older age. The trauma of breaking specific bones like a hip often leads to immobility, loss of independence, and increased risk of complications such as pneumonia, blood clots, pressure ulcers, and infections. The recovery process can be arduous and lengthy, requiring intensive rehabilitation and long-term care. Unfortunately, individuals aged 65 and older, who experience a hip fracture are at a higher risk of mortality within the first year following the injury compared
to those who do not. A recent study published in JBMR Plus (published by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research) shows that older adults who experience some bone fractures have a five-year survival rate of fewer than one-third in men and about one-half in women. The highest risk for mortality is hip fractures with survival rates around 67.7% for males and 78.5% for females in the first year. This means that the survival rate for individuals who break a hip is worse than that of several common cancers.
of a medical emergency, or incapacity. By documenting preferences regarding medical treatments, end-of-life care, and preferred life-sustaining measures, individuals provide clarity and guidance to their healthcare providers and loved ones during challenging times. Get ahead of the storm and make the decision to complete your End of Life Plan today. By engaging in conversations about healthcare options, discussing end- of-life care wishes with important people, and documenting directives in advance of a health crisis, individuals empower themselves to make informed decisions and retain control over their healthcare journey, even in the face of unexpected challenges. Please call the PCOA Helpline at (520) 790-7262 if you have questions or need assistance completing your Advance Directives. Study: https://academic.oup.com/jbmrplus/ article/8/5/ziae002/7584588?login=false
Unfortunately, we are as good at predicting when these types of injuries may occur as we are predicting when and where lightning will strike. Given these sobering statistics and the potential consequences of something like a hip fracture, the importance of completing Advance Directives in healthcare planning cannot be overstated. Advance Directives allow individuals to express their healthcare preferences, values, and priorities, ensuring that their wishes are known and respected in the event
Shaaron Kent Endowment held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Page 20 | September/October 2024, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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