Did you know that if a loved one who lives in a nursing home or other senior facility falls, the staff at that facility might have to call 911 for help because they’re not allowed to pick up patients themselves? That could be the procedure whether it’s a short fall off a chair or a serious fall in which they may have hit their head or fractured a bone.
Earlier this year, The Washington Post did an investigation on facilities throughout the country that have “no lift” policies. They want to avoid liability for a resident who may be harmed by staff members not correctly lifting them and avoid having staff members become injured while lifting a resident.
Where are “no lift” policies most common?
It should be noted that these “no lift” policies are more likely to be in place in assisted living and independent living facilities than in nursing homes. That’s because they’re often less likely to have personnel trained to lift people safely or equipment like hydraulic lifts.
These policies are also more prevalent in cities that offer this service at no charge. However, they do so typically to help people living alone who need help getting up after a fall. Instead, care facilities are making use of the service – and abusing it, according to some emergency services providers.
These non-emergency lift calls from care facilities have increased in recent years to the point where some providers are starting to charge – particularly those whom they consider repeat offenders. However, that hasn’t stopped some facilities, which would rather pay the fees (and often pass it on to residents) than risk a lawsuit from a resident’s family or losing an employee, even temporarily, to an injury.
Why families should know if a facility has a “no lift” policy
A resident isn’t likely to be harmed further by getting help from an EMS professional after a fall. In fact, if they are injured, it can be beneficial to have someone outside the facility see them.
However, it’s still worthwhile to find out whether a loved one’s care facility has a “no lift” policy. It can say something about their staffing levels, the training of their employees and their fear of litigation.
The more you know about your loved one’s care facility and the more questions you ask, the likelier you are to spot a potential safety or health issue before it causes real harm.