Falls
Falls cause more than 1800 deaths per year in nursing homes. Most falls are preventable through simple measures. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, over the course of their stay it is likely that they will be injured as a result of a preventable fall. According to published studies by the NIH and CDC 3 out of 4 nursing home residents fall each year. For every 100 residents there are 250-400 falls reported each year. Most falls go unreported.
Falls are the leading cause of serious injuries, including fractures, fractured hips, head injuries and death, in a nursing homes. 10-20 % of all falls in nursing homes result in serious injury.
Many falls occur in instances where the patient is unable to even walk or stand on their own. These falls like most of the others are a direct result of the inadequate staffing that is pervasive in the nursing home industry.
People
in nursing homes are generally more frail than older adults living in
the community. They tend to be older, have more chronic illnesses,
and have difficulty walking. They also tend to have problems with
thinking or memory, to have difficulty with activities of daily
living, and to need help getting around or taking care of themselves
(Bedsine et al. 1996). All of these factors are linked to falling
(Ejaz et al. 1994).
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Visit often. Residents who have frequent visitors are less likely to be ignored by staff.
Ask your loved one how they have been doing.
When you visit check for signs of injury such as bruising.
If you find any signs of injury or abuse, immediately bring it to the attention of the facility. Speak to the nurses, ask them what they know. Remember to document everything.
The owners and operators of nursing homes can be held accountable for their actions. The law provides for specific causes of action that you can pursue in order to hold them accountable. Don't allow them to increase their profits at the expense of the suffering of our loved ones. Contact us by filling out and submitting the contact form or by calling us at (866) 372-0570. An attorney experienced in nursing home litigation will return your call withing 24 hours.