Geriatric Hand Bruises: Health Issues of the Elderly

The elderly population experiences a variety of unique health complications and typically caretakers are confused as to how the complications manifest. If you are caring for an aging loved one, you may commonly find that hand bruises develop and the challenge then becomes figuring out the underlying cause and origin. Geriatric hand bruises can be caused by a variety of underlying complications for which caretakers must determine.

As is the case in most elderly adults, medications, diet and emotional health play a crucial role to the long term and short term health issues. For elderly adults who seem to be developing hand bruises, any of these underlying causes may be a contributing factor.

Malnutrition, among the elderly, is typically causes by a simple lack of interest in food or forgetfulness about maintaining proper nutrition. When a diet is low in proper nutrition, geriatric hand bruises can develop and, typically, disappear as nutrition is corrected. It is important, therefore, that you ask your loved one about food intake, and even consider keeping a food journal, to determine what nutrients may be in deficiency or too abundant.

In addition to malnutrition, elderly adults can also develop geriatric hand bruises in response to medications. If you notice that new bruises are developing soon after a medication dosing has been changed, or when new medication has been used, then this may be the underlying cause of concern. Speak with the prescribing physician about the possible side effects of bruising and what changes, if any, need to be made to the medication regimen.

Emotional health can also play a role in the development of geriatric hand bruises among the elderly. When feeling lonely or isolated, it is not uncommon for an elderly adult to create self inflicted injuries to the hands as a way to garner more attention from loved ones. When all other health issues have been addressed, if you still find your loved one has an issue with geriatric hand bruises, then consider mental health evaluation.

Much like the side effects of cryotherapy and other forms of treatment, elderly adults can develop bruises for almost any underlying cause. The key issue for caretakers lies in the determination of what the underlying cause of bruising may be, and then working to resolve the condition immediately.

Sources: Eldercare for Dummies, by Rachelle Zukerman