A fall can be the reason that an older adult moves into a nursing home. People who live by themselves are particularly vulnerable if they fall and sustain injuries. They could go hours without receiving medical care. They may struggle to handle basic responsibilities while healing from fall injuries.
Those living in nursing homes have staff members on hand to help them with basic tasks. They have support while recovering from injuries and while going about their daily lives. Older adults living in nursing homes should have a lower risk of falling because they have help on hand to assist them with getting dressed and other basic daily functions. Unfortunately, falls in nursing homes are still relatively common. Are falls an indicator of negligent care in a nursing home?
Most falls are preventable
There are many ways for nursing homes to protect people from falls and the injuries they generate. Typically, nursing homes need to do a full risk analysis on every new resident when they move into the facility. That testing process helps the workers prioritize care for those who are most vulnerable. It is also necessary to reevaluate residents regularly, especially after their health status changes.
Having enough workers on hand is also key to preventing a fall. Residents who need help getting dressed, showering, going to the bathroom or moving to the dining hall should receive support in a timely fashion. If they end up waiting for extended periods of time, they may try to handle those tasks without support. Understaffing means that more residents become frustrated while waiting for help and engage in activities that can lead to a fall.
Finally, nursing homes can provide assistive technology like walkers and canes for residents. They can help teach residents how to use those mobility tools safely and consistently. Particularly in scenarios where older adults had high fall risk to begin with and did not receive adequate support, there may be grounds to assert that fall-related injuries are the result of negligence.
Pursuing a nursing home negligence lawsuit after a preventable fall can help cover treatment costs and pay for the expense of obtaining different support for a vulnerable loved one. Families may need to investigate the circumstances surrounding a fall and take action if poor care standards added to fall risk.
