Residents of nursing homes often face specific challenges that require them to have more help with daily activities than what was possible in their home. One risk that some of these individuals face is an increase in the likelihood they will fall. Many nursing homes have protocol for evaluating residents for this risk and addressing it when there is a reason to think the person has an increased chance of falling.
A suitable fall prevention protocol in a skilled nursing facility has three parts. First, there is a plan for assessment. Second, there is a recognition and implementation of fall minimization interventions. Third, there is a plan for reducing the severity of injuries if a fall should occur. Together, these components greatly improve resident safety when they are used properly.
When the residents are being evaluated, there are several points that must be checked. People who have certain medical conditions, including vertigo, are more likely to lose their balance. This can lead to a fall, even when there aren’t any other hazards. Additionally, some medications cause dizziness, which can also lead to falls. Residents who require mobility assistance, such as walkers, are also at an increased risk of falls.
If you have a loved one in a nursing facility, you should keep a close eye on how they are doing. The chance of multiple falls by a single resident is considerable, so they might fall again if they’ve fallen once. Finding appropriate measures to prevent this is critical. When a fall was preventable or the result of negligence, the resident might opt to pursue a claim for compensation to help cover the damages.
