title: Preventing burns in the elderly: a guide for home healthcare professionals.
abstract: Burn injury to individuals older than 60 years occurs with a frequency that is disproportionate to that of all other victims except the very young. Burns continue to remain a major healthcare problem in the United States and globally. Seniors 65 years and older make up 13.7% of the total population of the United States, and these numbers are expected to increase during the next 30 years (). Further, older adults who live alone are 30% more likely to suffer an unintentional injury than the rest of the population. As seniors age, their potential for suffering a fire or burn-related injury increases because of the aging process, comorbidities, and limited financial means. These factors describe a vulnerable population in need of protection and safety. This article assists the home healthcare provider to recognize the characteristics and vulnerability of the older adult as related to a burn injury. Guidelines that will assist the home healthcare provider in promoting a safe and comfortable environment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Ernest J. Grant, MSN, RN, FAAN, is a Nursing Education Clinician-Burn Outreach, N. C. Jaycee Burn Center, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and a member of the following associations that are referenced in this article: the American Burn Association's Burn Prevention Committee, the American Burn Association's Editorial Advisory Board, and the National Fire Protection Association-Board of Director's First Vice President.
authors.forename: Ernest J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology