Each year, millions of older people over the age of 65 suffer from falls. Once this has happened the risk of falling again more than doubles. This is why we need to discuss nursing home fall interventions and protections. Many conditions can contribute to a fall, including:
• Age-related muscle loss that causes problems with walking, balance, and strength
• Medication use and side effects
• Hazards such as uneven flooring/steps, throw rugs, clutter, inadequate lighting, or lack of handrails
• Cognitive issues like impaired judgment, confusion, or difficulties with depth perception
• Peripheral neuropathy or arthritis
• Dehydration or malnutrition
Risks at Home versus at the Nursing Facility
According to a 2024 report from HelpGuide.org, nursing home residents fall at twice the rate of older adults who are not in nursing homes, causing them to be in grave danger. This is even though nursing homes often market themselves as having an increased ability to monitor their patients and residents for falls and to take specific steps to prevent them. While risk factors can be high at home, that rate increases when an older person is admitted into a nursing facility due to health problems.
These falls often go unreported and can lead to severe injuries, reduced mobility, and a decline in the overall quality of life. Hip or pelvic fractures can be especially devastating to those in older age, with mortality probability doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling for those over the age of 70. In addition to the risks present at home, nursing homes present unique risks:
• Beds set at the wrong height
• Inaccessible personal items
• Poorly fitted/maintained wheelchairs
• Unstable bed wheels
• Slippery floors due to spills, leaks, or cleaning
• Transferring residents from bed to wheelchair improperly
• Failing to place proper bed alarms or ankle monitors on fall-risk residents
• Inadequate staffing or supervision
• Physical abuse includes pushing, shoving, tripping, or slapping
Legal Help for Nursing Home Abuse in Greenville, SC
Nursing homes have a legal obligation to assess a resident’s risk of falling to implement plans and procedures and provide adequate supervision. When a high-risk adult is admitted to a facility, a fall risk assessment should be immediately performed. Nursing home staff should consider the patient’s medical history and fall risks and form a plan to avoid common hazards that may lead to a fall. If falls continue, the initial fall risk assessment should be repeated, along with a thorough investigation of the circumstances of the fall. Nursing home fall interventions should be evaluated periodically, and the care plan revised as necessary.
As with the case of many nursing homes, the staff does not always take responsibility for the injury of its residents. Often, they will try to shift liability to the resident by using the excuse that they “cannot always watch every patient” or even claim ignorance and/or lie about how a fall occurred. It is always best practice to be proactive and watch for signs of injury.
Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you suspect that a loved one has fallen and been injured due to the negligence of a nursing facility, you have the right to pursue legal action. Our skilled legal team is passionate about the rights of nursing home residents. Let us seek answers, justice, and compensation for you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
