Falls are a serious concern in nursing homes because they can lead to serious injuries, such as head injuries and fractures. For many residents, a fall is not the result of a single cause. Instead, it’s more likely to be the culmination of many factors, such as muscle weakness, cognitive impairment, poor balance, medication effects, unsafe footwear and the need for mobility assistance.
One way that nursing homes can address the risk of falls is to conduct fall risk assessments on every resident. These are done at intake and then periodically after. They should also be conducted if a resident has a major change in mental, cognitive or medical status.
What considerations are present?
A fall risk assessment is used to identify residents who may need additional assistance because of an increased likelihood of falling. The assessment considers personal factors, medical history, medication usage, physical condition and daily functioning abilities. Mobility is a major part of the assessment. The resident’s gait and ability to stand and turn are considered.
If a resident is considered a fall risk, the nursing home should have a set plan to address this. The specific situation must be considered, so not all plans are the same. Some residents may need mobility devices, such as walkers, but others may need personal mobility assistance from a staff member.
Nursing home residents who fall often have considerable medical care expenses. They may opt to pursue a compensation claim against the nursing home, but this must be done quickly. Working with someone who understands these cases may be beneficial, so the resident can focus on their healing process.