Placing a loved one in a nursing home is never an easy decision. However, it sometimes becomes necessary when it’s no longer possible for them to live on their own or they require more skilled care than in-home caregivers can provide.
Having too many falls at home is often the primary factor in determining that loved ones need to be in a nursing home. So when a family member continues to experience repeated or serious falls inside a care facility, it can often raise an important question: Is negligence playing a role?
Negligence can lead to preventable falls
Falls can happen anywhere, including nursing homes. Many times, they are entirely preventable. Common causes include:
- Understaffing: Too few staff are responsible for too many residents. If a resident has to wait too long for help, they may try to move, get out of bed or use the restroom without the assistance they require.
- Inadequate fall risk assessments: Upon admission, every nursing home resident should be evaluated to determine their fall risk. The evaluation should also be completed quarterly and whenever the resident has a significant health change. Failure to assess or update a resident’s needs can lead to preventable accidents and injuries.
- Environmental hazards: Poor lighting, loose carpets and cluttered hallways and rooms are all signs of a poorly maintained facility and potential trip hazards.
- Medication errors: Certain medications, such as sedatives, can increase the risk of falls. When staff administer the wrong dose or fail to monitor for side effects, residents may become unsteady.
- Failure to supervise: Residents with dementia, confusion or limited mobility require closer supervision. When staff are inattentive, residents can wander off or attempt activities they can’t safely perform.
For the elderly, falls often result in serious injuries such as fractures, head trauma or hospitalization. While not every fall is the result of the nursing home’s negligence, it’s important to examine how the incident occurred to determine whether the facility failed to take reasonable steps to protect the resident. If you suspect unsafe conditions or inadequate care, it’s essential to get legal guidance.