Nursing Home Risks

Did you know that one-third of U.S. seniors aged 65 and older falls every year? And, in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, about 1,800 older adults die each year from fall-related injuries? This may seem like a lot, and it is. While seniors are often suffering from health conditions that may contribute to falls, a resident of a long-term care facility is often specifically there to help prevent those serious accidents that may otherwise have occurred at home.

Being able to identify, avoid and remedy the following commonly overlooked fall risks can prevent a serious injury for yourself or a loved one.

8 Unforeseen Fall Risks in Nursing Homes:

  1. Highly waxed/shiny flooring.
     
  2. New medications or medication changes that might affect a resident’s balance or cause dizziness.
     
  3. Items in low drawer storage. Residents should avoid unnecessary bending and lifting.
     
  4. Sitting on the edge of the bed to get dressed or put on shoes. Sitting on a firm chair will limit the chance of a slip.
     
  5. Changing positions quickly. Rising too quickly can lead to a feeling of faintness due to blood pressure change.
     
  6. Failing to check and make sure a chair is close before sitting. Nursing homes can help limit this by assisting more frail residents when changing positions.
     
  7. Poor floor plans that force residents to navigate around tables and cords.
     
  8. Fear of falling. A quality facility should address this fear with the help of the resident’s physician and/or therapist.

Nursing homes usually do their best to prevent falls, but there are often risks that go overlooked. If you see any of these risks on your own, it is critical you bring it to the attention of the staff. However, in a nursing home that is suffering from overworked or undertrained staff, these issues may fail to be addressed. This is when preventable accidents can escalate from instances of poor care to nursing home abuse and neglect.

If your loved one has been injured at their nursing home you need to speak with an experienced nursing home neglect attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call us directly at 800.800.5678 for your free consultation.

Hupy and Abraham has experience dealing with complicated nursing home abuse and neglect cases, including those regarding resident falls. For more information, please download our free Guide for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Victims here.
Jill Erin Wellskopf
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Director of Marketing, Hupy and Abraham