People move to nursing homes because they require support. They can no longer live independently, and their family members may not have the time, proximity or capacity to meet their needs. Nursing homes help ensure the safety of vulnerable adults by connecting them with around-the-clock support from staff members. Residents do not have to cook for themselves or clean their living spaces. They can ask for support with tasks like showering and dressing. Workers provide for their basic needs.
Unfortunately, not everyone in a nursing home receives the standard of support they require. They may end up falling and getting hurt because they don’t receive appropriate care. While falls do become a more likely concern as people age, nursing homes can prevent many falls with the right practices.
How can nursing homes prevent falls?
By reviewing resident needs
Every nursing home typically needs to evaluate the support needs of residents when they first enter the facility. They may also need to reevaluate residents on a regular basis to see if their support needs have changed. Annual or six-month reviews can detect warning signs of changing support needs. Conducting a review after changes to a resident’s overall medical condition can be a smart decision as well.
By providing consistent support
Residents may need help acquiring mobility devices including wheelchairs and walkers. Staff members can ensure that residents have the medical devices that they need for safety, that the devices remain in good condition and that older adults use them consistently.
Elder adults also need the regular attention of nursing home staff members to fulfill their daily care needs. They may need to ask for help when they change their clothing, go to the bathroom or walk down to the dining hall. If residents receive timely attention when they request it, their chances of falling may be substantially lower. If people have to wait half an hour or an hour to get support to use the bathroom, they may become frustrated and take matters into their own hands with major consequences.
If an aging loved one falls and sustains injuries in a nursing home, that can be an indicator of a poor standard of care. Pursuing a nursing home negligence lawsuit can potentially help families to cover care costs by holding a facility accountable for poor care standards.
