Falls in Nursing Homes

Every year 1 in 4 people 65 years of age and older fall.  These equates to millions of people.  Most don’t tell their doctor and falling once doubles your chances of falling again (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Nursing homes are obligated to provide a specific standard of care for their residents.  This standard of care extends to providing appropriate measures for preventing falls.  They have a responsibility to remove obstacles, provide railings and eliminate other hazards.

Often due to improper levels of staffing or insufficient training, perhaps more than half of all nursing home residents experience a fall at some point during their stay.

Falls Are Serious and Costly

·         One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.

·         Each year, 2.8 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.

·         Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.

·         Each year at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures.

·         More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling,⁷ usually by falling sideways.

·         Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.

·         In 2016 the direct medical costs for fall injuries, $31 billion annually.

Insufficient training and staffing are often the most common causes of preventable situations.  Improper staffing and training is negligence.  The consequences of nursing home abuse can be fatal.

What Can Happen After a Fall?

·         Falls can cause broken bones.

·         Falls can cause head injuries.  These can be very serious, especially if the person is taking medicines such as blood thinners.

·         Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling.  This fear may cause a person to be less active, which causes one to become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.

What Conditions Make You More Likely to Fall?

·         Lower body weakness.

·         Vitamin D deficiency.

·         Difficulties with walking and balance.

·         Use of medicines, such as tranquilizers, sedatives, or antidepressants.  Even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance and how steady you are on your feet.

·         Vision problems.

·         Foot pain or poor footwear.

·         Home hazards such as broken or uneven steps, and throw rugs or clutter that can be tripped over.