Most burns occur in the home, often in the kitchen or bathroom.
Scald burns and flame burns are the most common types of burns for this population.
Risk factors for burn injury in an older adult:
(1) impaired vision
(2) intoxication with alcohol
(3) sedation from medications
(4) senility, confusion or dementia (impaired judgment)
(5) impaired manual dexterity (from arthritis, etc)
(6) reduced grip or muscle strength
(7) impaired senses
(8) impaired reaction time
(9) decreased mobility and increased risk for falls
(10) inaccurate risk assessment
Interventions that can reduce the risk of burns:
(1) reduce the temperature on hot water heaters
(2) avoid wearing loose clothing in the kitchen especially if cooking over an open flames
(3) use of cooking utensils that are easier to grasp or handle
(4) adjustment of medication dose
(5) steps to improve vision, including better lighting
(6) alternatives to boiling water on a stove
