Many of us care for aging friends and family members, and it can be challenging to balance responsibilities in our professional and personal lives while still providing them the attention they deserve. For increasing numbers of people, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are the best way to ensure loved ones get the care they need.
Unfortunately, falls are a serious and potentially life-threatening form of injury for the elderly. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have a duty to take steps to prevent personal injuries from falls, but many residents suffer serious injuries when facilities fall short of their duty.
It is important to be aware of the facts regarding these types of accidents, and to know the steps you should take if a loved one suffers a fall in a nursing home.
How Big Is the Problem?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 1.4 million people age 65 and older who currently reside in nursing homes throughout the United States. Of this number, nearly three quarters suffer injuries due to falls each year.
Research into preventing falls in nursing homes conducted by the CDC indicates that once a fall has occurred, injuries related to the fall can increase the odds that the patient will fall again in the future. Preventing falls in nursing homes can mean the difference between life and death, as the CDC states that falls are a contributing cause of death in roughly 20 percent of people age 65 and over
How Serious Are the Falls?
Preventing falls in the elderly can help avoid serious, disabling and even life-threatening injuries. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), common types of injuries sustained in falls include the following:
Bone fractures, including hip and pelvic fractures and broken bones in the hands, arms, and ankles
Spinal injuries, such as fractured or ruptured discs
Muscle and tendon strains, sprains, and tears
Head and traumatic brain injuries
Injuries sustained in falls can result in a permanent decrease in mobility that prevents nursing home residents from engaging in social activities or hobbies, and result in depression as well as increased anxiety over the fear of falling again. Falls can cause an overall decline in general health and even hasten death. Understanding the common causes of nursing home falls can help prevent falls in nursing homes.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Nursing Home Falls?
According to the NIH, some of the common causes of nursing home falls include the following environmental factors:
Poor lighting
Clutter in living spaces and common areas
Improperly functioning equipment, such as broken bed rails or lack of wheelchair brakes
Wet or uneven flooring
Personal items that are kept out of reach from the patient
Patient factors also contribute to the high incidence of falls. These include patients who are highly medicated or suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and patients with conditions that cause them to go back and forth from the bathroom frequently. Even factors such as outdated prescription glasses or wearing slippers with no treads can lead to an increased risk of fall injuries.
How Can Nursing Homes Prevent Falls?
The CDC advises that there are a number of ways to help prevent falls in long-term care facilities. These include the following:
Assessing patients to identify those most at risk for falling
Making changes in the nursing home environment to allow patients greater safety in movement
Reviewing prescribed medicines to ensure patients are not over medicated
Making sure patients have personal items, such as appropriate eyewear and footwear, to help prevent falls
Contact Our Experienced Jacksonville Nursing Home Injury Attorneys Today
If you have a loved one who has been injured in a fall at a nursing home in Jacksonville or surrounding areas of Florida and Georgia, contact The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic today for a free consultation about the situation. Our experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorneys understand the serious nature of these injuries, and can advise you on how to secure the compensation your loved one needs to recover.
Many of us care for aging friends and family members, and it can be challenging to balance responsibilities in our professional and personal lives while still providing them the attention they deserve. For increasing numbers of people, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are the best way to ensure loved ones get the care they need.
Unfortunately, falls are a serious and potentially life-threatening form of injury for the elderly. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have a duty to take steps to prevent personal injuries from falls, but many residents suffer serious injuries when facilities fall short of their duty.
It is important to be aware of the facts regarding these types of accidents, and to know the steps you should take if a loved one suffers a fall in a nursing home.
How Big Is the Problem?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 1.4 million people age 65 and older who currently reside in nursing homes throughout the United States. Of this number, nearly three quarters suffer injuries due to falls each year.
Research into preventing falls in nursing homes conducted by the CDC indicates that once a fall has occurred, injuries related to the fall can increase the odds that the patient will fall again in the future. Preventing falls in nursing homes can mean the difference between life and death, as the CDC states that falls are a contributing cause of death in roughly 20 percent of people age 65 and over
How Serious Are the Falls?
Injuries sustained in falls can result in a permanent decrease in mobility that prevents nursing home residents from engaging in social activities or hobbies, and result in depression as well as increased anxiety over the fear of falling again. Falls can cause an overall decline in general health and even hasten death. Understanding the common causes of nursing home falls can help prevent falls in nursing homes.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Nursing Home Falls?
According to the NIH, some of the common causes of nursing home falls include the following environmental factors:
Patient factors also contribute to the high incidence of falls. These include patients who are highly medicated or suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and patients with conditions that cause them to go back and forth from the bathroom frequently. Even factors such as outdated prescription glasses or wearing slippers with no treads can lead to an increased risk of fall injuries.
How Can Nursing Homes Prevent Falls?
The CDC advises that there are a number of ways to help prevent falls in long-term care facilities. These include the following:
Contact Our Experienced Jacksonville Nursing Home Injury Attorneys Today