Older adults living in nursing homes generally require regular support from professionals. They may need help taking their medication on time and preparing meals. They may even require support while getting dressed, bathing and going to the bathroom.
Without proper support, older adults in nursing homes could be at risk of a fall. Falls can lead to serious injuries, including fractures and brain injuries. Family members of those injured by falls may question whether negligent care caused their loved ones’ injuries. Although not all falls are preventable, nursing homes can prevent many falls with appropriate interventions.
What support prevents falls?
The first step toward preventing falls is to assess each resident for their individual risk levels. Interacting with the resident, asking them specific questions and monitoring their physical capabilities can help nursing home professionals evaluate individuals for their overall fall risk.
Professionals can then determine what forms of support are necessary for that resident’s safety. Providing wheelchairs, walkers and canes can help people at risk of a fall navigate nursing home spaces safely.
Keeping spaces clean is also important, as debris or fluid could cause slipping and falling. Having enough workers on hand is also critical. Residents who need support as they handle daily matters may grow impatient if they wait for 30 minutes or longer to go to the bathroom or change out of their pajamas.
If a nursing home hasn’t provided appropriate support, doesn’t keep enough workers on hand or has failed to assess an individual’s fall risk, those failures could constitute nursing home negligence. Family members dealing with increased care costs and medical expenses may have grounds for a lawsuit. Holding a nursing home accountable for negligent care standards can lead to financial compensation and may change how professionals at a nursing home manage resident care.